Metabolic HealthSarcopenia in Aging, Obesity, and Diabetes — What Drives Muscle Loss and How to Fight It
Sarcopenia — the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength — is no longer viewed as a pure aging problem. Obesity and type 2 diabetes dramatically accelerate its onset through overlapping mechanisms including chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, mitochondrial dysfunction, and impaired protein synthesis. This review from Chinese and Japanese researchers systematically covers the epidemiology and biological pathways driving sarcopenia under each condition, then evaluates both lifestyle and pharmacological strategies. Resistance training remains the gold-standard intervention, shown to rebuild muscle mass, improve strength, and reduce fall risk. No FDA-approved drug yet exists specifically for sarcopenia, reflecting the complexity of its biology. The authors call for better biomarkers for early detection and personalized treatment protocols combining exercise, nutrition, and emerging pharmacological targets.
