The Underappreciated Role of Low Muscle Mass in the Management of Malnutrition

Abstract:

This opinion article, published in Journal of American Medical Directors Association (JAMDA), addresses the role of muscle mass in improving health outcomes in a variety of disease states. It also offers strategies you can use to help patients manage low muscle mass and prevent muscle loss.       

Specifically, the article:

• Discusses the importance of muscle as a metabolic and homeostatic organ, in addition to being crucial for maintaining proper physical movement.
• Raises awareness of the need for timely identification of loss of skeletal muscle mass and function in high-risk populations, e.g., cancer, COPD.
• Highlights the need to prioritize maintaining and restoring muscle mass when managing malnutrition.
• Describes the role nutrition and exercise can play in maintaining and restoring muscle function.