--- title: 5 ways to preserve muscles as you age | Ensure South Africa description: Ageing is inevitable, but muscle loss doesn't have to be. Find out how you can maintain healthy muscle mass for a prolonged healthy, and happy life. image: https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Nutrition_blog_post_2%20(3)-1-1-1.png --- [![PediaSure](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Ensure.svg)](https://za.ensure.abbott/) [Buy Now![arrow-blue](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/BArrow.svg)](https://za.ensure.abbott/where-to-buy/) ![logo-black](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/abbott-logo-black.svg) ![close](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(1).svg) ## Explore our products [Buy now](https://za.ensure.abbott/where-to-buy/) #### [![#210163-Ensure-Web-banners_ENSUREGOLD2-04](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202022/SA%20Ensure/%23210163-Ensure-Web-banners_ENSUREGOLD2-04.png) For everyday strength, immunity & energy Ensure Gold](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold/) #### [![13059_Ensure Product Tab 301px x 387px](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/13059_Ensure%20Product%20Tab%20301px%20x%20387px.png) Explore the power of plant Ensure gold plant](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold-plant) #### [![Untitled_design__22_-removebg-preview](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202023/Abbott%20SA/Ensure%20SA/Untitled_design__22_-removebg-preview.png) For everyday strength, immunity & energy Ensure gold ready-to-drink](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold-ready-to-drink) ![ribbon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Muscle%20Ribbon_2_Menu.png) ![ribbon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Muscle%20Ribbon@2x_Menu_mobile.png) [![logo](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Ensure.svg)](https://za.ensure.abbott/) [![logo Abbott](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/abbott-logo-black.svg)](https://www.sa.abbott/) ![menu](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/menu-burger.svg) ![menu](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(2).svg) [Buy now![arrow](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/BArrow.svg)](https://za.ensure.abbott/where-to-buy/) ![search](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/search.svg) ![close](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(1).svg) # 5 Ways to Preserve Muscles As You Age Did you know that from the age of 40, you start losing up to 8% of muscle mass every decade? Aging is inevitable, but muscle loss doesn't have to be. Advanced muscle loss, or sarcopenia, affects nearly 1 in 3 people over the age of 60. Not only are muscles important for everyday physical tasks like picking things up, reaching for something, opening a jar or getting up off a chair, but healthy muscles are essential for organ function, skin health, immunity and your metabolism.3-5 In other words, maintaining muscle mass as you age is essential for prolonging a happy and healthy life so you can keep doing the things you love. Preserve muscles with a few simple strategies and Stay Strong as You Age! ![1630414756082](https://za.ensure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/Abbott%202022/SA%20Ensure/Blog/1630414756082.png?width=800&height=1756&name=1630414756082.png)   References: 1. Janssen I, Heymsfield SB, Wang Z, et al. Skeletal muscle mass distribution in 468 men and women aged 18‐88 yr. J Appl Physiol. 2000;89:81‐88. 2. Grimby G, Danneskiold-SamsØe B, et al. Morphology and enzymatic capacity in arm and leg muscles in 78‐81 year old men and women. Acta Physiol Scand. 1982; 115:125‐134. 3. Morley JE, Anker SD and von Haehling S. Prevalence, incidence, and clinical impact of sarcopenia: facts, numbers, and epidemiology – update 2014. J Cachexia Sarcopenia Muscle 2014;5:253-259. 4. Argilés JM, Campos N, Lopez-Pedrosa JM, et al. Skeletal Muscle Regulates Metabolism via Interorgan Crosstalk: Roles in Health and Disease. JAMDA 2016;17(9):789-796. 5. Kim J-S, Wilson JM and Lee S-R. Dietary implications on mechanisms of sarcopenia: roles of protein, amino acids and antioxidants. J Nutr Biochem 2010;21:1-13. Article available at: [https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/5-ways-to-age-proof-your-muscles/](https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/5-ways-to-age-proof-your-muscles/) [Back](https://za.ensure.abbott/za/blog) ## DISCOVER ENSURE® GOLD   For everyday strength, energy & immunity: [Ensure® Gold](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold/) #### [![max_protein](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202022/SA%20Ensure/%23210163-Ensure-Web-banners_ENSUREGOLD2-04.png) For everyday strength, energy & immunity: Ensure Gold](https://za.ensure.abbott/products/ensure-gold/) ## RELATED BLOGS [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Ensure%20article%203%20banner.jpg) ](https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/reasons-why-walking-is-great) ### Benefits of walking Walking is a simple, effective, and often overlooked form of exercise with numerous health... [Read more](https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/reasons-why-walking-is-great) Share![share](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/share.png) **Condividi**![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(2).svg) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-facebook.svg)Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/reasons-why-walking-is-great) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-twitter.svg) Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/reasons-why-walking-is-great&url=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/reasons-why-walking-is-great&source=tweetbutton&text=Benefits+of+walking+%7C+Ensure+South+Africa) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-email.svg) Email ](mailto:?body=Benefits%20of%20walking%20|%20Ensure%20South%20Africa%20https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/reasons-why-walking-is-great) ![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-copy.svg) Copy URL [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/ENERGY%201-1.png) ](https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/keep-the-energy-levels-going) ### How to increase energy levels Keeping your energy levels up during the day can be a challenge, so try some of the following: [Read more](https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/keep-the-energy-levels-going) Share![share](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/share.png) **Condividi**![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(2).svg) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-facebook.svg)Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/keep-the-energy-levels-going) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-twitter.svg) Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/keep-the-energy-levels-going&url=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/keep-the-energy-levels-going&source=tweetbutton&text=How+to+Increase+Energy+Levels%3F+%7C+Ensure+South+Africa) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-email.svg) Email ](mailto:?body=How%20to%20Increase%20Energy%20Levels?%20|%20Ensure%20South%20Africa%20https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/keep-the-energy-levels-going) ![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-copy.svg) Copy URL [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Nutrition_blog_post_2%20(6)-1-1-1.webp) ](https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/protein-rich-foods/) ### 8 High Protein Foods to Add to Your Diet Getting the right amount of protein in your diet is essential for healthy living. Protein is in... [Read more](https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/protein-rich-foods/) Share![share](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/share.png) **Condividi**![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare/close%20(2).svg) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-facebook.svg)Facebook ](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/protein-rich-foods/) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-twitter.svg) Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/protein-rich-foods/&url=https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/protein-rich-foods/&source=tweetbutton&text=8+high+protein+foods+to+add+to+your+diet+%7C+Ensure+South+Africa) [![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-email.svg) Email ](mailto:?body=8%20high%20protein%20foods%20to%20add%20to%20your%20diet%20|%20Ensure%20South%20Africa%20https://za.ensure.abbott/health-blog/protein-rich-foods/) ![](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%20LP%202020/Similac%20-%20EleCare%20Patient/Homepage/share-copy.svg) Copy URL ![face](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/Mask%20Group%20111.png) ## SIGN UP & GET R50 OFF ### Sign up to be part of the Ensure® family and receive a R50 discount code to use on your first purchase of 850g Ensure® nutritional supplement. Help monitor your strength milestones with the Ensure® Strength Tracker. Update the tracker weekly to chart your progress. *Terms & Conditions apply [Sign up![arrow](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/BArrow.svg)](https://za.ensure.abbott/where-to-buy/) [![Ensure Logo](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/Ensure%20Logo.svg)](https://za.ensure.abbott/) Follow us on social media [![icon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/IG%20icon.svg)](https://www.instagram.com/ensure_sa/)[![icon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/MASTER%20-%20ENSURE%20-%20Theme/Ensure%20-%20Homepage/FB%20icon.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/EnsureSA/)[![icon](https://za.ensure.abbott/hs-fs/hubfs/YT-Icon.png?width=34&name=YT-Icon.png)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrVNvJzZC8zlp86Fcxt_dKQ) ©2023 Abbott Laboratories Limited. All rights reserved. Abbott Laboratories South Africa (Pty) Ltd. Registration number: 1940/014043/07. Abbott Place, 219 Golf Club Terrace, Constantia Kloof, 1709. Tel: (011) 858 2000. ![abbott logo](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/abbott%20logo.svg) ![Abbott_logo_A](https://za.ensure.abbott/hubfs/Abbott%202021/PediaSure/Homepage/Abbott_logo_A.svg)