Sarcopenia After 40: Dr. William Evans on Muscle and Aging

2026-02-04

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In your later decades, how can strength training reverse muscle loss? In this episode, I spoke with Dr. William Evans, the scientist who first described sarcopenia, to unpack why muscle loss—not aging itself—is the biggest threat to metabolism, independence, and long-term health. We explored why muscle is far more adaptable than most women realize, even into advanced age, and why traditional measurements like scale weight and lean mass miss the real picture. Dr. William Evans is a muscle researcher, former pharma sci...

In your later decades, how can strength training reverse muscle loss?

In this episode, I spoke with Dr. William Evans, the scientist who first described sarcopenia, to unpack why muscle loss—not aging itself—is the biggest threat to metabolism, independence, and long-term health. We explored why muscle is far more adaptable than most women realize, even into advanced age, and why traditional measurements like scale weight and lean mass miss the real picture.

Dr. William Evans is a muscle researcher, former pharma scientist, and a professor at the University of California, Berkeley, whose work has been cited over 80,000 times. If you’ve ever heard that muscle loss drives aging, chances are it traces back to his research.

What you’ll learn:

(04:33) How losing muscle directly lowers metabolic rate and increases disease risk.

(06:49) Why common body composition tests fail to measure true muscle mass.

(07:31) How a new non-invasive muscle test predicts strength, disability, and longevity.

(13:32) Why muscle percentage is more predictive than body weight or BMI.

(20:55) How neurological changes and inactivity contribute to muscle loss after 30.

(23:37) Why strength and power training are essential for preserving fast-twitch fibers.

(30:49) How protein intake and resistance training protect muscle during weight loss.

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