Your muscular system proves indispensable for maintaining your lifestyle. Your muscles allow for fine motor function, speech, movement, locomotion -- and also maintain upright posture. Healthy muscles rely on nutrients from your diet, and a number of nutrient deficiencies can lead to muscle loss, called atrophy. If you suffer from muscle atrophy and weakness due to a nutritional deficiency, taking specific vitamins and minerals might help correct the disorders.
Vitamin E
One vitamin potentially linked to muscle loss and atrophy is vitamin E, a family of eight beneficial compounds. As antioxidant compounds, vitamin E helps maintain a range of tissues, including your muscles. Failure to consume enough vitamin E in your diet can eventually lead to muscle wasting. In these cases, taking supplemental vitamin E to correct the deficiency can help restore proper muscle mass and treat the atrophy.
Vitamin D
Consuming adequate vitamin D might also prove beneficial for your muscle tissue and help prevent muscle loss. Vitamin D carries out a number of physiological roles, including maintenance of healthy muscle tissue and promoting muscle strength. As a result, deficiencies in vitamin D can lead to muscle weakness and possible loss of muscle tissue. You can prevent a vitamin D deficiency by receiving moderate sunlight exposure and eating foods fortified with vitamin D.
Selenium
One mineral that might aid in preventing some types of muscle loss is selenium, an essential nutrient. Your body requires selenium to activate a range of enzymes responsible for maintaining healthy tissue, including healthy muscles. Deficiencies in selenium can lead to muscle wasting and muscle fiber atrophy, as well as other symptoms such as nerve defects that can affect communication between your nervous system and your muscles. If you suffer from muscle loss due to a selenium deficiency, taking supplemental selenium might help alleviate the disorder.
Copper
In some cases, muscle loss might develop due to an acquired copper deficiency. Chronic failure to consume enough copper can affect your muscular system, causing muscle weakness and loss. In severe cases, this muscle loss can affect your ability to walk, as well as cause abnormal muscle spasms. Taking copper supplements can correct the deficiency, restore proper copper levels in your body, and help stop or reverse muscle loss.
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