Diet to build up muscles

[wibblywobbly]

I have recently lost muscle in my arms and legs. Does anyone have any dietary advice for keeping muscles that I have or building them up.

[Katilea]

Usually it's protein I think bodybuilders eat very protein heavy meals like meat and eggs for breakfast and protein shakes and lift weights but it depends how much wasted your muscles already are for you to be able to lift enough weight for it to work?

[jomo50]

Hi Wibblywobbly

I have found that I have compensated for all my difficulties. i.e I walk more hesitantly than I use to. I try to do more walking now, hanging on to the arm of my wife. I also exercise regularly, but as Katileas said this depends on your muscles. Katilea is a nice name, it means orchid doesn't it?

J

[wibblywobbly]

I can't possibly lift any weights. I have been told by the doctor to not exercise at home any more as i am too tired. I have two session of physio per week and need to keep as much energy for them as possible. I walk with a stick outside and sometimes need husband's arm too. Also have a wheelchair for the exterior too - am waiting for a motorised one soon. The muscles have wasted away with the illness apparently - so I have to work on them but very little as with my tiredness things seem to get worse.

Thanks for your advise - do you have any more??????? please

[february]

I attend physical therapy 2 days per week, for an hour each session. I see you already do physio. I'm not in a wheelchair and use a cane. You stated you're able to walk with a stick outdoors, and sometimes use your husbands arm also. I do the same and take walks frequently. I get very tired also, and will sit and rest on benches if need be (there are benches where we walk). You may try walking with a rollator, as some have seats to sit on and rest. I agree with others who have said to eat protein. "Ensure" is a protein drink here in the US, that is helpful to retain muscle strength. Can you buy that in France? If not, look online. I try to exercise for strength and balance, as well as do stretches each day. I need to hold on to something as a rule to keep from falling (due to major balance issues), although I lay on the floor and do leg lifts and use light hand weights to strengthen my arms (no chance of falling as I'm already down...,ha!). Some people use those peddlers (sorry, I don't know what they're called specifically called) for legs and arms, as you can use them in a seated position. I take some supplements that I believe help, Multi-Vitamin, 2 tabs fish oil, 1 tab flax seed oil, CoQ10 (300 mg 2x day), Vitamin B12 (1000 mg day), Vitamin D (1000 mg day). Of course, always check with you doctor before taking anything! CoQ10 is made in muscles, so it must be good! My neurologist said to just keep as active as physically possible! I also try to eat as healthy as possible (lots of veggies of different colors and fruits). Google "exercises for strength and balance" and "best foods to retain muscle strength", as it's amazing what you can find online. My best to you..., ;o)

[wibblywobbly in reply to february]

Thanks for your advice february. I have since rang my Dr at the re-hab centre who said that as long as i eat protein everyday and a balance diet then eating extra protein won't make any difference as with our illness the extra protein won't make any difference. I really do eat very healthily, nuts, meat, fish, eggs fresh veg and fruit, dried fruits, porridge.

I have lost a lot of muscle in the last two weeks with shocking speed. I also do two one hour session of physio per week, which i'm about to increase to 3 per week. I have been trying to do more in the house and garden as i'm now feeling a complete panic about my muscle loss. The problem is that i get so tired, and earlier had a migraine come on - which i have managed to stay off with medication from doing too much.

I have heard about flax seeds and have put them on this weeks shopping list. Thanks for all your advice will be doing some more research

[february]

My pleasure! ;o)

[annasgonesailing]

Not exercising at home seems madness. Protein after physio sounds right to me. I have fat free yoghurt

[wibblywobbly]

Hi annagonesailing, my situation has changed since I wrote this post and actually i'm less tired and able to do more I think i lost this muscle very quickly after a couple of weeks in a rehabillitation centre. I was so exhausted afterwards that I couldn't do anything for about 3 weeks. I think the muscle loss was due to resting so much to try to recover. It's amazing just how quickly we lose muscle. The neuro said that there is no muscle loss linked directly to ataxia.

I'm not going into the centre this year and i think that is better for me. I continue to do physio twice per week and can do much more in the house and garden. The recovery from the centre took me over 3 months. However I did regain the use of my hands and arms in the centre. If i ever go in there again we shall work much more gently - it was far too much for me last time.