Why Muscle Is Key For Longevity

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.
Find Dr. Hyman’s full-length conversation with Dr. Gabrielle Lyon, “Are we eating too much (or not enough) protein for good health?” here:

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28 Comments on Why Muscle Is Key For Longevity

  1. 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.

    • Yes! Also, people arnt aware, but glucose can only be stored in two places in the body, skeletal muscle and the liver. Any excess that is not consumed by organs is catalyst for body fat or disease depending on your genetic predisposition. The body sets the metabolism to the body’s active tissue burning the energy, not the other way around. Stay active!

  2. Interesting stuff as always, although I’m not sure I’d call protein the black sheep of the macronutrient family when protein has become one of the most highly marketed and over-saturated fads in the last decade or so, and every fitness junkie is convinced they need hundreds of grams per day. Even junk food like Lunchables brags about being high protein now, and you have sugar-laden glorified candy bars passing as nutritional supplements just because they have protein (eg RX Bars you find at gas station convenience stores that have more sugar than a Snickers bar). It reminds me of the low fat craze a few years back – trying to promote unhealthy foods as healthy by focusing on a single component. (‘Hey, it’s high protein, so it must be good!’)

    The truth is the standard American diet provides the average person waaay more protein than they really need. You simply don’t hear about people in North America suffering from protein deficiency. Even vegans can easily get enough in their diets.

  3. I just had two organic, free-range, grass-fed bone marrow beef burgers, then a cup of bone broth, later i will do some resistance excerise, I’m planning on being ok.

  4. The first 2:06 of this video just blew my mind. I’m open to learning. I’m a whole food plant based eater. Just started lifting weights this year. We’ll see how this journey goes. Looking forward to the rest of the episode.

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