Beyond Aesthetics: Why Building Muscle Could Save Your Life
For as long as I can remember, I've been trying to build muscle. I wish I could say I was doing so to increase my health span or reduce my risk of preventable disease. I won't lie to you; I've been in the gym consistently (I haven't missed more than 10 consecutive days in over 16 years) for two very specific reasons. The first reason is that I've always wanted to look good with my clothes off.
At some point in my early 20s, I was on a booze cruise out of the harbor in Boston. A local "news" show called Dirty Water TV was on the boat, conducting interviews. For reasons I'll never fully understand, the host of the show took a liking to me, and we got to know each other a bit (that's a story for another day). As I wandered around the boat looking for my buddies, I walked up to the top deck to find the host interviewing a group of college girls. He saw me, exclaimed, "Ladies, it's the famous personal trainer Jake Louro from Boston Sports Clubs! Go take his clothes off!" While I was far from famous, they proceeded to take my shirt off, and one lady even managed to unfasten my belt before I stopped them from going further. That moment of confidence, knowing I looked good because of my hard work, was unforgettable. From then on, I made sure I was always ready to take my shirt off.
The second reason is my realization in my 20s that when I don't exercise, I become rather unpleasant (insert my wife yelling, "rather!?"). Seriously, my family tree is laden with severe mental health issues, and I'm confident that if I don't exercise or at least move daily, I feel those roots creeping under my skin. Now, with an amazing family, maintaining my mental health has become increasingly important. How fortunate am I that some guy in a gym 20 years ago asked if I wanted to become a trainer?
Beyond that, any other positive health outcomes from gaining muscle were afterthoughts. Of course, I've been aware of the many benefits of exercise. I cared about these benefits for my clients, but honestly, for me, they were just a fortunate side effect of the aesthetics I desired. Fast forward to today, and I'm discovering through numerous studies that the muscle mass I've pursued for aesthetics might also be our closest thing to the fountain of youth. Another lucky break!
Over the next three weeks, I'm going to present the top 12 reasons why anyone interested in living a longer, healthier, happier life should focus on hypertrophy (building muscle). Hopefully, I can persuade those who fear hard training or "bulking up" that the effort is indeed worth it. Let's dive in.
1. Metabolic Health
In the battle against diabetes, there is no more powerful tool that we have than skeletal muscle mass (SMM). Muscle tissue has a powerful impact on our overall metabolic well-being. Here’s how:
Glucose Storage: Muscle tissue is a primary site for glucose storage in the body, storing glucose in the form of glycogen. This storage is vital for energy supply during increased physical activity. When you exercise, your muscles pull on this glycogen reserve, converting it back into glucose for energy. This dynamic process not only supports muscular function but also helps regulate blood glucose levels by removing excess glucose from the bloodstream, thus contributing to overall metabolic balance.
Blood Sugar Regulation: The ability of muscle tissue to uptake glucose from the blood is pivotal in maintaining blood sugar levels within a healthy range. During physical activity, muscles increase their glucose uptake dramatically, which helps lower blood sugar levels. This mechanism is essential for immediate energy supply to the muscles and also plays a crucial role in long-term blood sugar management, illustrating the direct impact of muscular health on metabolic stability.
Insulin Sensitivity: Muscle mass is intricately linked with insulin sensitivity. Insulin is the hormone responsible for signaling cells to uptake glucose from the bloodstream. Muscles, being significant consumers of glucose, play a vital role in responding to insulin's signals. With more muscle mass, the body improves its ability to use insulin efficiently, which is crucial for transporting glucose into cells. Enhanced insulin sensitivity means the body needs less insulin to manage blood sugar levels, reducing the stress on the pancreas and mitigating the risk of insulin resistance.
Preventing Diabetes: Insulin resistance is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes, where the body's cells become less responsive to insulin, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. By improving insulin sensitivity and aiding in blood sugar regulation, healthy muscle tissue acts as a serious barrier against the onset of type 2 diabetes. Regular muscle-strengthening exercises not only increase muscle mass but also enhance the muscle's metabolic functions, including improved glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity, thereby playing a critical role in diabetes prevention.
SMM is not just a peripheral player but a central actor in the drama of metabolic health, particularly in the context of glucose management and diabetes prevention. Its ability to store glucose, regulate blood sugar levels, enhance insulin sensitivity, and prevent diabetes underscores the importance of muscle health as a cornerstone of metabolic well-being.
2. Cardiovascular Health
The influence of SMM extends beyond glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity; it plays a vital yet undervalued role in cardiovascular health. Regular resistance training, which is how you build and maintain muscle mass, has been shown to offer a number or significant cardiovascular benefits.
Lowering Blood Pressure: When you regularly partake in resistance training, it can help lower your resting blood pressure. This happens because the exercise improves the health of the inner walls of your blood vessels, allowing them to open wider and let blood flow more easily. When your blood vessels work better like this, your heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood through your body. This reduces the stress on your heart and blood vessels, lowering your chances of getting high blood pressure and heart-related problems.
Improving Lipid Profiles: Resistance training can positively influence lipid metabolism, leading to improved profiles. This includes reductions in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (often referred to as "bad" cholesterol), and triglycerides, alongside an increase in HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol). These changes contribute to a lower risk of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
Enhancing Heart Function: While often associated with endurance training, resistance training also contributes to heart health. It can improve cardiac function and the heart's ability to pump blood efficiently. Moreover, muscle strength and mass have been linked with reduced mortality from cardiovascular diseases, suggesting that the heart benefits from the improved muscular condition and the associated metabolic enhancements.
The role of SMM in cardiovascular health is multifaceted and profound. By engaging in regular resistance training, not only does one build muscle mass, but also institutes a cascade of cardiovascular benefits, including better blood pressure control, improved lipid profiles, and enhanced cardiac function, all of which contribute significantly to overall heart health and longevity.
3. Healthy Bones
The benefits of SMM extend to the very framework of our body: our bones. There's a profound connection between the muscles and bones, where the health of one significantly influences the other. This symbiotic relationship is particularly evident in how muscle mass affects bone density and strength, crucial factors in maintaining bone health and preventing conditions like osteoporosis.
Correlation with Bone Density and Strength: Research consistently shows a strong correlation between SMM and bone density. Essentially, the more muscle mass you have, the denser and stronger your bones tend to be. This is particularly important as we age, helping to counteract the natural decline in bone density and strength that can lead to osteoporosis.
Mechanical Stress and Bone Formation: When you engage in resistance training or activities that build muscle, your muscles pull and exert pressure on your bones. This mechanical stress acts as a signal for bone-forming cells to spring into action, leading to the production of new bone tissue. This process not only enhances bone density but also contributes to the overall strength and resilience of the skeletal structure.
Preventing Osteoporosis: By maintaining or increasing muscle mass through activities like weightlifting, you're directly contributing to a stronger skeletal system. The mechanical stress from muscles on bones during such activities boosts bone formation and minimizes bone loss. This dynamic interaction is a powerful strategy in reducing the risk of osteoporosis, a condition where bones become weak and fragile.
In essence, building and maintaining muscle is a critical component of bone health. The muscles and bones are interdependent, and by nurturing one, you inherently support the other. Engaging in regular resistance training to build muscle mass thus becomes a key preventive measure against bone density loss, ensuring a stronger and healthier skeletal system as you age.
4. Weight Management
SMM plays a pivotal role in the management of body weight. Lean muscle mass is inherently metabolically active, which means it burns calories not only during physical activity but also at rest.
Metabolically Active Tissue: Lean muscle mass is like an engine that's always on, consuming energy even when you're not moving. This is because muscle tissue requires energy to maintain itself, repair, and function. The more lean muscle mass you have, the higher your resting metabolic rate (RMR) – the rate at which your body burns calories while at rest. This increased metabolic rate helps in burning more calories throughout the day, contributing to weight management and preventing weight gain. Keep in mind, the higher your metabolic rate, the more calories you can eat while still losing fat. The calories you burn due to the metabolic activity of muscle aids in creating a calorie deficit or helps maintain caloric balance, essential for weight loss or weight maintenance. This is particularly significant when compared to fat tissue, which is far less metabolically active. Essentially, by increasing muscle mass through resistance training or other muscle-strengthening activities, you're boosting your body's calorie-burning capacity around the clock.
Synergy with Diet and Physical Activity: While diet plays a crucial role in weight management, combining it with regular resistance training to build muscle creates a synergistic effect. Not only does this approach facilitate fat loss while preserving lean muscle mass, but it also contributes to a more toned and defined physique, further motivating individuals in their weight management journey.
SMM is a critical component in the equation of weight management. Its ability to burn calories at rest makes it extremely valuable in maintaining a healthy body weight, complementing dietary and other physical activity efforts. By focusing on building lean muscle mass, individuals can enhance their metabolic rate, making it easier to manage weight and improve overall body composition.
As we finish off part 1 or our 3 part series on the benefits of muscle mass, it's clear that the narrative surrounding skeletal muscle is ripe for change. I believe, and hopefully you’re starting to come around to the idea as well, that It’s not just an emblem of physical strength or aesthetic appeal; it's a fundamental pillar of our overall health and well-being. The journey through understanding the multifaceted roles of muscle mass in metabolic health, cardiovascular well-being, bone integrity, and weight management has underscored a pivotal message: building muscle is not merely about looking good—it's about fostering a robust foundation for a vibrant, healthier life.
My personal quest for muscle mass, sparked initially by a desire for aesthetic appeal and a memorable moment on a Boston harbor cruise, has evolved into a profound appreciation for the broader health implications of my efforts. This evolution of perspective is not just my story, but a narrative that can inspire and guide each one of us. Whether you're lifting weights in the gym, engaging in resistance training at home, or simply incorporating more physical activity into your daily routine, the essence remains the same—nurturing your muscle mass is nurturing your health.
In the upcoming segments of our series, we'll dive deeper into the remaining benefits of muscle mass, exploring how it influences aspects such as mental health, immune system strength, and longevity. As we uncover these insights, my hope is that you, too, will see your fitness journey not just as a path to a more attractive physique but as a vital investment in a longer, fuller, and healthier life.
References:
Skeletal Muscle and Nuclear Hormone Receptors: Implications for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Disease
Highlights the role of skeletal muscle in energy balance, insulin sensitivity, and obesity, linking these factors to cardiovascular disease risk.
The Role of Skeletal Muscle Glycogen Breakdown for Regulation of Insulin Sensitivity by Exercise
Discusses the importance of glycogen in skeletal muscles for insulin-stimulated glucose disposal and its impact on metabolic health.
Sarcopenia and Diabetes: Hyperglycemia Is a Risk Factor for Age-Associated Muscle Mass and Functional Reduction
Explores the relationship between sarcopenia, insulin resistance, and diabetes, emphasizing the importance of muscle health.
Role of Skeletal Muscle in Insulin Resistance and Glucose Uptake
Describes the pivotal role of skeletal muscle in insulin resistance and its implications for metabolic diseases.
Exercise and Regulation of Carbohydrate Metabolism
Highlights the critical role of exercise in regulating glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle.
Skeletal Muscle Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Resistance
Provides insights into glucose metabolism and the mechanisms of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle.