Herbal Remedies for Sarcopenia

ABSTRACT

Sarcopenia is also known as muscle loss. It is related to age and starts around the age of 30-35 years and can accelerate at the age of 60 years. After middle age, adults lose 3% of their muscle strength, and dealing with sarcopenia will limit them from doing necessary routine activities. Muscle loss can be moderate to severe. It can decrease life expectancy as well as the quality of life. Certain actions are taken to prevent the progression of muscle loss in Ayurveda. Also, we will discuss its possible causes and symptoms in this article.

INTRODUCTION

Sarcopenia is defined as age-related muscle loss. The largest skeletal muscle mass is lost in this disorder. It may be caused due to imbalance of muscle growth cells through disturbed anabolism and catabolism. It decreases the quality of life and hinders the daily activities of the person such as climbing stairs, lifting heavy objects, running, walking, etc. The signs of Sacropenia are related to decreased muscle strength. The loss of muscle mass involves both a reduction in the number of muscle fibers as well as a decrease in muscle size. Although aging is the main cause of Sarcopenia, declining hormones like testosterone may contribute to the loss of muscle mass.

AYURVEDIC ASPECT

In Ayurveda, we can correlate Sacropenia with Mamsakshaya (loss of muscles). Mamsa being the third dhatu from the seven dhatus has a very important role in maintaining the posture and strength of the body. Impairment of mams occurs due to an imbalance of tridosha in the body. The imbalance or aggravation of Vata dosha can occur due to increasing age. Destruction of mams dhatu leads to loss of the preceding dhatus and loss of whole body strength subsequently. Ayurvedic management works on the protocol of nourishing the muscles and overcoming the progression of the disease to the next level. Sarcopenia has unfortunate impacts throughout the body which are managed with Ayurveda, which helps in delaying the process of loss of muscles. The treatment is explained further in the article.

CAUSES OF SARCOPENIA

Causes of Sacropenia include-

• Inadequate nutrition
• Hormonal imbalance or deficiency
• Stress
• Inflammation
• Decreased physical activity
• The inability of the body to convert protein to energy

SYMPTOMS OF SARCOPENIA

Symptoms of Sarcopenia can include-

• Muscles weakness
• Muscles wasting
• Muscles loss 
• Falling while walking
• Slow speed
• Loose stamina
• Difficulty in doing everyday work

DIAGNOSIS OF SARCOPENIA

Muscle mass is measured to confirm the diagnosis through-

• Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA)
• Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA)

TREATMENT OF SARCOPENIA

The primary treatment includes exercise, and strength training.

• Hormonal replacement therapy
• Hormone supplements
• Proper nutrition/ nutrition supplements
• Medications for metabolic syndrome

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR SARCOPENIA BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Ayurvedic herbal medicines are very effective in managing Sarcopenia and relieving its symptoms.

• Yoga
• Abhyanga with herbal medicated oils
• Potli therapies
• Pathya-apathya
• Nidan parivarjan chikitsa
• Herbal medications

HERBAL REMEDIES FOR SARCOPENIA BY PLANET AYURVEDA

Planet Ayurveda is a GMP-certified, ISO-certified, and US-FDA-registered ayurvedic company which prepares natural medicines using authentic ways. The herbal medicines prepared by the company are prescribed worldwide for many health conditions. These medicines are 100% pure and are completely herbal with no side effects. Also while formulating these remedies, our MD experts take care of adding any sort of resin, color, or chemical. The preparation of medicines is purely based on ayurvedic principles and strictly follows government guidelines. Medications used for the management of sarcopenia are-

Herbal Remedies for Sarcopenia

1. Ashwagandha Capsules

These capsules are manufactured with the standard extracts of the herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). This herb increases body strength and enhances immunity to fight against the disease. Ashwagandha is a very potent herb and has remarkable results in various diseases. It effectively maintains difficult conditions like sarcopenia. These capsules will balance tridoshas in the body and relieve symptoms of pain and irritation and improve the overall condition of the patient.

Dosage - Eat 1 capsule twice a day.

2. Weight Gain Formula

This is a dietary supplement prepared with Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Vidanga (Embelia ribes), Haritki (Terminalia chebula), Bibhitaki (Terminalia bellerica), Pippali (Piper longum), etc. The capsules contain pure extracts of these herbs and do not contain any chemical or artificial protein for weight gain. These herbs help to regulate the body's metabolism and gain weight. These capsules will add mass to the body and muscular weight increases with regular consumption of these capsules. It also maintains the ratio of body fat with muscles.

Dosage - Eat 1 capsule twice daily.

3. Vikramprash

This avleha is prepared with the combination of many wonderful herbs such as – Agnimanth (Premna mucronata), Bilva (Aegel marmelos), Patla (Sterospermum suveolens), Prishanparni (Uraria picta), Mashparni (Teramnus labialis), Bala (Sida cordifolia), Pippali (Piper longum), Gokshur (Tribulus terrestris), Bhumiamalki (Phyllanthus niruri), Shringi (Pistacia chinensis), Mudagparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Shyonak (Oroxylum indicum), Kashmarya (Gmelia arborea), Draksha (Vitis vinifera), Jivanti (Leptadenia reticulate), Haritki (Terminalia chebula), Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), Shati (Curcuma zeodaria), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Ela (Elettaria cardamomum), Utpal (Nymphaea alba), Vidarikand (Pureria tuberose), Vrusha (Adhatoda vasica), Kali musli (Curculigo orchioides), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosa), Mandukparni (Centella asiatica), Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Petha (Benincasa hispida), Brahmi (Bacopa monnieri), Til tail (Sesamum indicum), Pippali (Piper longum), Dalchini (Cnnamomum zeylanica), Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum), etc. These all herbs have rejuvenating effects and are used to boost the immune system. They will strengthen the muscles and the whole body.

Dosage - Eat 1 tablespoon full twice daily with milk.

4. Shatavari Ghrit

The ghrit is made from Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Jeevak (Microstylis muscifera), Rishyabhak (Microstylis wallichii), Meda (Polygonatum cirrhifolium), Kakoli (Lilium polyphyllum), Munaka (Vitis vinifera), Mulethi (Glycyrrhiza glabra), Kshir kakoli (Fritillaria roylei), Mudgaparni (Phaseolus trilobus), Mashparni (Teramnus labialis), Vidarikanda (Pueraria tuberosa), Lal chandan (Pterocarpus santalinus), Cow ghee, Cow milk, etc. This ghrit is an ayurvedic medicine to be taken under the guidance of an ayurvedic doctor. This ghrit will ease the symptoms of weakness, burning sensation, and pain in the body as it will balance Vata and Pitta dosha in the body.

Dosage - Take 3 to 5 ml of ghrit twice daily.

CONCLUSION

Sarcopenia can decrease the lifespan of the person. You can overcome the symptoms by simple methods of Ayurveda. Herbal medications and yoga will improve the overall health of the person and will increase the quality of life. For more queries contact us at www.PlanetAyurveda.com