Staying healthy and fit can be challenging at any age, but maintaining strength becomes even more important as we grow older. Aging brings many natural physiological changes, including a gradual loss of muscle mass that can affect mobility, independence, and overall health.
Beginning around age 30, adults gradually start to lose muscle mass, and this process often accelerates after age 60. Over time, muscle fibers become weaker and less responsive. Maintaining muscle strength, however, plays a vital role in supporting longevity and quality of life. Research shows that lower muscle strength is associated with an increased risk of death, while preserving strength can help older adults remain independent and active.
The good news is that there are steps you can take to help preserve muscle strength as you age. Proper nutrition, especially adequate protein intake, combined with regular physical activity can slow the rate of muscle loss and support bone health, metabolism, and blood sugar control. However, maintaining and building muscle becomes more complex with age due to changes in hormone levels, a reduced ability to convert dietary protein into muscle, and declines in the number and size of muscle fibers.
Join the Senior Center and University of Illinois Extension for Protein, Physical Activity, and Aging: What You Need to Know, an informative program that explores how aging affects muscle health and what you can do to stay strong. Participants will learn about the risks of muscle loss, practical nutrition tips, and lifestyle strategies to support strength, mobility, and independence.
Protein, Physical Activity, and Aging: What You Need to Know will be held on Tuesday, July 7, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Midwest Medical Center, 1 Medical Drive, Galena, IL. The cost of the program is $5.
Reserve your spot today by calling (815) 858-2273 or visiting go.illinois.edu/jsw. Don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your health and learn strategies to help you stay strong and active as you age.
University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment. If you need reasonable accommodations to participate in this program, please call (815) 858-2273.
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 500 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through five program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, health and community wellness, and natural resources, environment, and energy.