Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation Launches to Prevent and Reverse Degenerative Disorders

Toronto-based foundation partners with physicians and clinics to subsidize treatment

TORONTO, June 22, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation (CSF) launches today to raise awareness about sarcopenia -- the degenerative loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength (faced by adults age 30 and over). CSF is Canada's first non-for-profit organization focused on the issues of preventing, diagnosing and reversing sarcopenia through education, treatment and research. CSF has partnered with fitness facilities across Ontario that specialize in high intensity training (HIT), to promote the importance of lean body mass and match patients with exercise facilities equipped to reverse degenerative disorders.

"All Canadians over the age of 40 are susceptible to progressive muscle loss every year and very few are aware of it," said Stuart Phillips, PhD and Director, McMaster Centre for Nutrition, Exercise, and Health Research. "It's time to realize that no drug is going to rescue the decline in functional ability and strength that occurs with aging. The best medicine is physical activity that incorporates aerobic and strengthening exercises. Increasing the level of physical activity in our aging population will improve quality of life in all older persons."

Sarcopenia is a chronic condition involving muscle loss due to inactivity or lack of exercise which can begin as early as 30 years old, and can lead to more serious conditions later in life. The Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation aims to: 

Educate

• Leverage the latest research on lean body mass and chronic metabolic disease to educate and raise awareness of sarcopenia to help prevent future cases, especially among Canadians under the age of 30.

Prevent

• Prevent and reverse early onset sarcopenia as well as prevent and improve the symptoms of chronic metabolic disease with early detection interventions. With the help of clinic partnerships, patients will be referred to high-intensity facilities equipped to reverse degenerative disorders.

Fund

• Fund the treatment of at-risk individuals by working with family doctors to connect patients with professionals and facilities, which apply the principles of clinical high-intensity exercise. The organization aims to fund the expansion of these facilities and place a functional medicine physician in every partner site.
• Fund research examining sarcopenia and the link between lean body mass and chronic metabolic disease, including without limitation the association between (i) sarcopenia and (ii) dietary protein consumption and high intensity exercise.

"The first line of defense to the symptoms of muscle loss doesn't need to be medications," said Dr. Phil Derkson, Toronto-based family physician. "I 'prescribe' my patients exercise where I see an opportunity to improve their lifestyle and reverse the damage, rather than hindering their strength, sentencing them to a life of immobility."

The CSF is working with Canadian family physicians to detect and refer at-risk patients or those suffering from sarcopenia to partner facilities for treatment. Partner facilities include MedX Precision Fitness, located in Toronto, where treatment is provided through a 20-minute workout system to reverse muscle loss and prevent further age-associated strength injuries and chronic illnesses, STG Strength and Power in Hamilton and Nautilus Body Clinic in Ottawa. More partner facilities will be added each quarter.  

The foundation has also partnered with HITuni to establish a recognized certification alliance that will enable them to ensure that all associated trainers align with proper science-based techniques and protocols.

For additional information about the CSF, to submit a rehabilitative gym in Canada for consideration, or to reach out about a potential partnership, please visit www.canadiansf.ca

Social links:
Website: www.canadiansf.ca
Twitter: @canadiansf
Facebook: facebook.com/sarcopeniafoundation

About Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation
Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation (www.canadiansf.ca) is Canada's first non-for-profit organization dedicated to preventing sarcopenia in Canadians. The foundation partners with qualified fitness facilities to offer subsidized services to diagnose and rehabilitate degenerative disorders in seniors through exercise services focusing on groups such as the elderly or those who are experiencing muscular and functional losses. The CSF aims to raise awareness about sarcopenia through education, research and treatment.

SOURCE Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation

Image with caption: "Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation (CNW Group/Canadian Sarcopenia Foundation)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160621_C3591_PHOTO_EN_719131.jpg

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