Why Muscle Is Key For Longevity | Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

You may be surprised to learn that muscle is our body’s largest organ. And unfortunately, the natural loss of muscle mass and strength as we age is associated with all-cause mortality and linked to the incidence of many chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and stroke, hypertension, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. For these reasons, it’s especially important to maintain muscle mass through exercise and eat more protein as we age. But what kinds of protein, and how much do we need?

Dr. Hyman explores these questions in his conversation with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, and they explain why muscle is key for longevity.

Dr. Gabrielle Lyon is an integrative physician who completed her fellowship in Nutritional Sciences & Geriatrics at Washington University, St. Louis. She is board-certified in Family Medicine and completed her undergraduate work in Human Nutrition Vitamin & Mineral Metabolism. Dr. Lyon works closely with current and retired Special Operations military operators as a part of the Task Force Dagger Foundation. In addition, her practice services professional athletes, executives, and anyone looking to level up their health. Her Manhattan-based practice focuses on combining the physical with mental optimization.

[SlowRiderDucati]

I'm 57 and I pump irons to stay young since my 40s. I bench 450lbs at 6 foot and 220 lbs. I eat at least 200 grams of animal protein every day. I haven't been to the Dr in over 10 years and I'm not on any meds. All my skinny friends are sickly and on loads of meds. Muscle mass is your friend. At 57 I'm still having muscle mass.

[BackToBasicsForHealth]

Thank you for this video. Because I have always loved strength training and still have muscle mass at 58 and proud of it, I have naysayers that tell me that’s it’s not so great to do as I get older. I do NOT lift heavy. I have great muscle memory though. I started to believe my naysayers and began researching and found your video! This grandma will definitely incorporate more balance exercises to prevent future falls and more yoga for loss of flexibility, but I am not giving up strength training!!

[JimSnedekerMusic]

Great! I love hearing there are things to delay aging's impact on us. thank you

[dr.ashishgopaldewan]

The most less talked about aspect of staying fit and healthy is what you discussed. There are talks about power yoga, calisthenics and blah blah, but how muscle mass and conditioning is of importance in old age and ward off disease was well amplified. Grateful.

[Nahulanham]

Activity, working out, eating right, thinking positive and always have future goals increases longevity. I'm 78 and work out every day and run sprints, do Martial Art kicking - punching and play basketball.

[espendahl]

Intermittent fasting, full body workouts 2-3 times per week with weights and simple walking everyday, keeps body healthy and strong.Quality sleep and quality nutrition also is the key.

[charlesbromberick]

Daily exercise and movement are very important.

[MrTmartin]

I really enjoy listening to Dr. Gabrielle Lyon

[dailydoseofmedicinee]

Why muscle mass is so important?

1-Muscle increases metabolic rate.

2-Muscle fortifies the bones, ligaments and tendons.

3-Muscle makes everyday activities easier.

4-Muscle gives you shape.

5-Decreased disease risks.

[agnaldocoelho]

I was able to watch this interview that was record for more then 1 hour and now you made this one with the summary of import info. I like both options because sometimes we don't have much time. Thanks

[iahelcathartesaura]

I looked for Dr Gabrielle Lyon on your channel Dr. Mark, bc I love who you are, what you do, I love you and the recipes and emails you send. I knew that her on your channel would be way better than the other channels where I tried to watch her being interviewed.

Thank you for having her on your show and I thank her for being your guest!

[djn]

I’m a medical consultant for Orthopedic trauma and Spence surgery
90%of my patients are sarcopenic and osteopenic at a minimum. I document this in their medical history just to start a conversation with their primary care doctors to start with
We discuss “Eat to Heal” as a start as well
It’s a major issue

[WHJeffB]

I'm 54yrs old, been weight lifting since I was 23, with very little "time off" (except for the recent gym closures due to Covid). On top of that, the last 22yrs I've been married to a very active woman. We bike, run, walk, do yoga and HIIT workouts together. She's now 100% Vegan and has been for about 9 months. I try to stay Vegan at least 5 days a week, if not 6.

We frequently get told by people we meet and get to know, that we look like we're in our early 40's. While some of this might be blowing smoke up our asses, I think that thanks to taking care of ourselves, we do in fact look much younger than we are. When I look around at a lot of the people I work with, who are around my age, I'm in much better shape (it's not even close in most instances), which makes a huge difference. Most of these individuals are overweight and have a multitude of health issues, which for someone in their early/mid-50's is not only sad, but it's also preventable.

I can't stress enough to people how important a healthy diet (and you don't have to be Vegan), and exercise is when you age. What you do in your 40's and 50's, has a large impact on how you feel at your age and your health later in life.

Good diet is not easy and it can be expensive... Exercise does not have to be, and honestly, you only have to invest about an hour a day, 4-5 days a week for it to be beneficial. Especially if you do it regularly and stick with it, in other words, make it part of your lifestyle.

Anyway... Good info here. This video just happened to pop up on my YouTube feed. Glad it did. It only reconfirms what my wife and I have lived/believed for years.

[fandersonmd]

This is so on point. Sarcopenia is wearing me out. Start now to preserve those muscles.

[garyandallisonsyme]

An extremely good summary about the NEED for muscle all of our lives. I believe that a lot of people have taken to getting themselves a home gym - particularly weights - because today my attempt to update my own little gym with some bigger dumbbells was a "no sorry, but we're all out - even our suppliers are out-of-stock." So those 15" biceps will have to stay as they are : )

[hopeandthemagnolia]

Dr Hyman, asking all the right questions - great interview, thank you. Would love to learn more.

[ronaldmccutcheon]

Fantastic! I often feel like the voice of one crying in the wilderness when i tell folks this.

[hennys]

I just turned 61..and.do powerlifting . I started to compete at 55 and this year will be my strongest year yet....hope to squat 500 by the first of 2021...no drugs. I believe 100% that strength training keeps you younger....most people stop lifting because they think they have to

[sassfass]

Love this Doctor. She’s my Angel. A living Angel. Be safe. Shhh. I’m praying. For my wonderful medical family.

[Simpleburger]

Interesting point regarding the admittance to care homes - ie due to physical weakness rather than illness. (Challenging) weight / resistance training is a must, so many benefits flow from it .