What is Sarcopenia and How to Avoid It. How much muscle is lost wih the passage of time?

Sarcopenia is a condition characterized by the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass, strength, and function1. It commonly affects people aged 60 and older, with the rates of the condition increasing with age1. The main symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness, which can significantly impact the quality of life by reducing the ability to perform daily tasks1. 

To avoid or slow down the progression of sarcopenia, it's recommended to lead an active lifestyle and incorporate regular strength training into your routine. Additionally, maintaining a healthy diet that includes high-quality proteins can help preserve muscle mass and support muscle growth2. 

As for how much muscle is lost with the passage of time, after middle age, adults lose about 3% of their muscle strength every year, on average2. This loss of muscle strength can limit the ability to perform many routine activities and can also shorten life expectancy compared to individuals with normal muscle strength2. It's important to note that while some causes of sarcopenia are a natural consequence of aging, others are preventable, and a healthy diet and regular exercise can reverse sarcopenia, increasing lifespan and quality of life2. 

In terms of specific numbers, researchers estimate that generally, those between ages 60 and 70 have lost about 12% of their muscle mass, with those over 80 having lost 30%7. However, these rates can vary, and factors such as physical activity levels and diet can influence the rate of muscle loss. Strength training and proper nutrition are key strategies to preserve muscle mass and strength as we age568. 

Source(s) 

1. Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss): Symptoms & Causes - Cleveland Clinic 

2. How to Fight Sarcopenia (Muscle Loss Due to Aging) - Healthline 

3. Muscle Loss in Older Adults and What to Do About It | Tufts Now 

4. Age and muscle loss - Harvard Health 

5. Don’t let muscle mass go to waste - Harvard Health 

6. Preserve your muscle mass - Harvard Health 

7. What Is Sarcopenia? How To Prevent Age-Related Muscle Loss 

8. Sarcopenia: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention - Healthline 

Privacy in cars has become nightmare

 

People often think of their cars as private spaces,  but modern cars collect a lot of information  about them .This data  could be used for monitoring. Let's look at the scary truth about car privacy.

The Data Goldmine

Big car companies have been collecting information about their customers, like how they drive, what they look like, and even where they usually go. This huge collection of data shows a lot about who you are, where you go, and how you live.

The Illusion of Privacy

It has been found that car brands' privacy policies are surprisingly lax, which means that this information could be shared with other people. Imagine that your car was telling everyone about your life without you even knowing it.

Your Data Up For Sale

Surprisingly, most car companies say they might sell your personal information. This lack of openness is a clear breach of privacy for customers.

Privacy4Cars: A Beacon of Hope

Privacy4Cars is a brave new project that is stepping up to deal with this problem. They give the automobile ecosystem the tools it needs to delete personal information from cars quickly, securely, and at a low cost.  Through proactive data rights management, their goal is to lower their risk of liability, meet legal requirements, and make customers happier in general.

 

The Failing Privacy Report Card

Mozilla recently did an alarming test of 25 big car brands and found that all of them failed to protect customer privacy. It's clear that the cars we love have turned into a privacy nightmare.

Most (84%) share or sell your data

It’s bad enough for the behemoth corporations that own the car brands to have all that personal information in their possession, to use for their own research, marketing, or the ultra-vague “business purposes.” But then, most (84%) of the car brands we researched say they can share your personal data -- with service providers, data brokers, and other businesses we know little or nothing about. Worse, nineteen (76%) say they can sell your personal data.

 

 

When you get in your car next time, keep in mind that it's not just a way to get around; it's also a place full of data where your privacy is always at risk. We need to hold automakers accountable for their actions and push for stricter rules on data privacy in the business.

The protests, boycotts, and chants in the streets have not changed a single thing for the Palestinians on the ground in Palestine

 This is a complex issue with no easy answers, and the assessment you've provided presents a viewpoint with both valid points and oversimplifications.

What's true in the assessment:

• Limited Impact: It's undeniable that traditional tactics of protests, boycotts, and vocal condemnation have had limited success in significantly altering the realities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
• Israeli Power Asymmetry: The power imbalance between Israel and the Palestinians is substantial. Israel holds significant military and economic advantages, and ultimately controls much of the situation on the ground.
• The Need for New Strategies: The persistence of the conflict for this long, tragically highlights the need for innovative and potentially more effective approaches to achieve a just resolution.

Where the assessment oversimplifies:

• Palestinian Agency: While acknowledging the power imbalance, it's important not to dismiss Palestinian agency entirely. Protests and international pressure do have some impact, keeping the issue in global discourse and occasionally influencing policy decisions.
• Complexity of the Conflict: The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is rooted in deep historical narratives, complex security concerns, and competing claims. There's no single solution, and dismissing all current approaches as entirely ineffective ignores the nuanced nature of the struggle.
• Diversity of Voices: Both within the Palestinian community and among pro-Palestinian supporters, there's a wide range of opinions and strategies. Painting everyone with the same broad brush is inaccurate.

The Path Forward:

Acknowledging the limitations of past approaches is crucial, but so is recognizing that completely abandoning forms of protest and international pressure is unlikely to be the answer. The path forward likely involves:

• Shift in Focus: While continuing to advocate for Palestinian rights, a shift towards strategies that build leverage and address power imbalances might be more fruitful. This could involve economic pressure, targeted sanctions, stronger legal challenges, etc.
• Palestinian Unity: A unified Palestinian voice with a clear and cohesive set of achievable goals is vital for any progress to be made.
• International Pressure: Sustained and coordinated international pressure on Israel to respect Palestinian rights and seek a just solution remains important.
• Changing Narratives: Challenging the dominant narratives that perpetuate the conflict is essential. This involves promoting understanding of the complexities on both sides while working towards a narrative that fosters coexistence.

Conclusion:

The assessment highlights a real frustration in the face of an intractable conflict. It's correct in urging exploration of new strategies. However, a realistic solution probably lies in evolving the existing approaches, building stronger coalitions, and finding ways to create leverage, rather than entirely abandoning every current form of advocacy.

Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, refers to difficulty seeing in the dark or at night.

 Night blindness, also known as nyctalopia, refers to difficulty seeing in the dark or at night. While the term might imply complete blindness in darkness, it actually means having more trouble seeing or driving in low-light conditions. Let's explore the causes and treatment options for night blindness: 

1. Causes of Night Blindness: 

• Nearsightedness (Myopia): Blurred vision when looking at distant objects can contribute to night blindness. 

• Cataracts: Clouding of the eye's lens can lead to poor vision, especially in dim light. 

• Retinitis Pigmentosa: This condition occurs when dark pigment accumulates in the retina, causing tunnel vision. 

• Usher Syndrome: A genetic disorder affecting both hearing and vision. 

• Vitamin A Deficiency: Vitamin A (retinol) plays a crucial role in transforming nerve impulses into images in the retina. Insufficient vitamin A can lead to night blindness. 

• High Blood Glucose (Diabetes): Individuals with diabetes have a higher risk of developing eye diseases, including cataracts, which can contribute to night blindness. 

2. Treatment Options: 

• Corrective Lenses: If night blindness is caused by nearsightedness or refractive errors, eyeglasses or contact lenses can improve vision both during the day and at night. 

• Vitamin A Supplementation: Increasing vitamin A intake may be recommended to support eye health. 

• Managing Underlying Conditions: For cases related to eye diseases (such as retinitis pigmentosa), treatment focuses on managing symptoms and slowing disease progression. 

Remember to consult your eye doctor to determine the specific cause of your night blindness. They can guide you toward the most appropriate treatment based on your individual situation1.. 

Source(s) 

1. Night Blindness: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments - Healthline 

2. What is Night Blindness and How is it Treated? | Nationwide Vision ... 

3. Night Blindness: Causes & Treatment - Vision Center 

4. en.wikipedia.org