A new paper published in Clinical Nutrition is shining a light on a serious but little-known condition affecting people with diabetes: sarcopenic diabetes.
This condition involves the loss of muscle mass and strength in people who already have diabetes. Experts say it’s an overlooked issue that can lead to serious health problems, and they are calling for it to be recognized and treated more seriously.
The paper was written by experts in nutrition and diabetes and supported by the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) and the Diabetes Nutrition Study Group (DNSG).
It warns that sarcopenic diabetes is more common than many people realize and is often missed in medical care. The authors stress that this condition greatly increases the risk of disability, hospital stays, and even death in people with diabetes.
According to research, about one in four people with type 2 diabetes also has sarcopenia. That means a large number of people are affected.
The problem is not just due to aging. It happens when diabetes and other factors cause the body to lose muscle. Some of these factors include lack of physical activity, poor diet, high blood sugar, chronic inflammation, and nerve damage from diabetes.
There is another new concern. Popular diabetes and weight-loss drugs like semaglutide and tirzepatide help people lose weight, but part of that weight loss comes from losing muscle. This makes it even more important to monitor and protect muscle health during treatment.
The good news is that sarcopenic diabetes can be prevented and treated. The authors of the paper suggest that people with diabetes—especially older adults and those who are losing weight—should be screened for muscle loss.
This can be done by checking muscle strength or using scans that show changes in body composition. If problems are found early, they can be treated.
To help protect muscle, the paper recommends a few key steps. People should eat enough protein, move more throughout the day, and do strength-building exercises like lifting weights or using resistance bands. Even small changes can make a big difference over time.
The researchers are asking doctors and health systems to pay more attention to this condition. Right now, diabetes care mostly focuses on blood sugar and heart health. But muscle health needs to be added to the list. When muscle loss is not treated, it can lead to falls, weakness, and slower recovery from illness.
Dr. Hana Kahleova, one of the authors, says that sarcopenic diabetes is a serious problem that makes life harder for people with diabetes. She believes that keeping muscle strong through good nutrition, exercise, and regular checkups should be part of every diabetes care plan.
In summary, this new paper shows that sarcopenic diabetes is a real and growing concern. It affects many people, especially as they age or take weight-loss medications.
But with early screening and simple steps like eating better and moving more, it can be managed. Adding muscle care to diabetes treatment could improve quality of life and reduce serious health risks.
If you care about muscle, please read studies about factors that can cause muscle weakness in older people, and scientists find a way to reverse high blood sugar and muscle loss.
For more health information, please see recent studies about an easy, cheap way to maintain muscles, and results showing these vegetables essential for your muscle strength.
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