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All too many times overwhelmed caregivers are physically and emotionally depleted and need to take time to rest and care for themselves. Believing in a holistic approach to caregiver stress and a strong commitment to helping our members find the right solutions, we created this blog to help you connect with others who, like you, may be facing the same eldercare issues and challenges. Feel free to comment, ask questions, and submit articles. Please forward the blog link to your family and friends. They'll be glad you did.

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Patricia Grace
founder & CEO
Aging with Grace

Monday, February 21, 2011

Seniors can add to muscle by pumping iron

As we age, our muscle mass decreases at surprising rates. According to Dr. David Heber, director of UCLA's Center for Human Nutrition, an average male who weights 180 pounds might after age 60 lose as much as 10 pounds of muscle mass over a decade.

But can we turn that around?

Heber says absolutely.In fact, new research published in the journal Medicine & Science In Sports & Exercise finds older adults who begin lifting weights after 50 may win the battle against age-related muscle loss.
Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.
Enlarge Jason Millstein for NPR

Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.
Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.
Jason Millstein for NPR

Palais started weight training to build bone mass. But she built muscle mass as well.

"You have to do what we call resistance exercise," Heber says. This can take a lot of different forms. "It could be lifting weights, it could be stretchy bands, but the key is you have to stretch a muscle."

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