‘I’m 44 and diabetic: Can I regain muscle lost due to uncontrolled diabetes?’

Diabetes can lead to muscle loss, as experienced by a 44-year-old who shared their story on Quora. Despite bringing blood sugar levels back under control, the individual questioned whether regaining lost muscle was possible. The answer is yes, but it requires proper nutrition and regular exercise. Dr. Vineeta Singh Tandon, a Senior Consultant at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, explains that muscle loss occurs when the body breaks down muscle tissue for energy due to high blood sugar levels.

However, this does not mean muscle loss is permanent. To regain lost muscle, maintaining controlled blood sugar, engaging in resistance exercises like weight training, resistance bands, or bodyweight exercises 2-3 times a week, and following a balanced diet are crucial. A daily protein intake of 1-1.2 grams per kilogram of body weight is recommended, which can be obtained from foods like eggs, fish, chicken, paneer, dal, soy, and Greek yogurt.

If blood sugar levels are controlled but muscle loss persists, it may be due to other factors such as insufficient calorie or protein intake, thyroid disorders, vitamin deficiencies, or other underlying illnesses. In such cases, a medical evaluation is essential to identify and address the root cause.