Lean Mass Accretion Support is the clinical and physiological process of optimizing the anabolic environment to promote the net synthesis and accumulation of muscle tissue, bone matrix, and non-fat soft tissue. This support system is essential for counteracting age-related sarcopenia and maintaining metabolic health, which are strongly correlated with longevity and functional independence. It requires a synergistic combination of hormonal signaling, nutrient availability, and mechanical stimulus to drive positive nitrogen balance. Maintaining this accretion capacity is vital for long-term physical function.
Origin
The term combines ‘lean mass,’ the non-fat component of body composition, with ‘accretion,’ meaning growth or increase by gradual accumulation, and ‘support,’ referring to the necessary clinical and nutritional scaffolding. The concept is central to both sports medicine and geriatric endocrinology, where the preservation of muscle and bone is a primary health objective. It underscores the active nature of tissue maintenance and the need for targeted intervention against catabolism.
Mechanism
The mechanism is primarily driven by the action of anabolic hormones, including testosterone, growth hormone, and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), which signal through the mTOR pathway to increase muscle protein synthesis and decrease protein degradation. Adequate protein intake provides the necessary amino acid building blocks, while resistance exercise provides the mechanical stimulus that initiates the cellular repair and growth cascade. Clinical support focuses on optimizing the endocrine milieu and nutritional substrate delivery to maximize the anabolic drive.
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