Most of us “baby boomers” like to think we’re younger than we are.  It’s something we really notice when we flip through old family photo albums and notice how much older our parents or grandparents looked in their 50’s than many of us do now.  Even so, our bodies begin their slow decline by the time we reach our 30’s – with no system left untouched.  But advances in medicine and science mean that we’re living healthier lives than our parents did, and it’s expected that we’ll work longer and live longer than they did, too.

Science is looking at the effects of aging on all fronts.  But a lot of attention is being paid to the importance of maintaining muscle mass in keeping us healthy, vital and independent as we grow older.  Having adequate muscle means that as we age, we can stay strong and mobile, and better able to maintain our balance which can help prevent falls.  And since muscle tissue burns calories, maintaining it will help to keep us trim, too.

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