Muscle Building 101 - The Basis for Gaining Muscle Mass

By Randy Burkline, contributing author

Muscle is an extraordinary tissue which, though taken for granted by many us, is the one indispensable tissue which gives us control over all our body parts. The skeletal system provides us with rigid strength but it is the muscles that protect it, and most importantly, control vital movements and essential locomotion. Muscle plays a major role in the body's defense technique, protecting our bones structurally, metabolically as well as physically. Further elaboration on these points will highlight the reasons as to why one should gain muscle mass.

Muscles Mass for Increased Protection

Protection is by and large the greatest reason to build muscle mass since it is the chief function of muscles to protect our bones and joints from injury, collision, fractures, etc. Strong muscles which cover joints serve as firm support without which our joints would be damaged by even normal day-to-day forces.

Muscles covering long bones, too, serve a similar purpose, by effectively receiving the brunt of forces aimed at these bones -- thus ensuring the safety of these otherwise fracture-prone structures.

In fact, the measures which help increase muscle mass go hand in hand with those that improve bone mineral density, an important factor to consider, especially for women nearing or already experiencing menopause who may have to deal with issues such as osteoporosis. Apart from this, your body's muscles also help prevent falls by helping to maintain balance and protecting several major organs such as your heart, brain, and kidneys by regulating blood pressure.

Muscles & Your Metabolism

Muscles also play a big role in regulating your body's metabolism and are helpful in combating the harmful effects of a typical American diet. Healthy eating is the only way to a healthier weight and no amount of working out can totally compensate for the negative effects of irregular and irresponsible eating habits. Even then, people who habitually exercise every week are definitely a good way away from ailments such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and atherosclerosis as compared to obese people who lead a less than active lifestyle. This is due in part to the fact that muscles burn a great deal of glucose and fat that goes into your body by way of unhealthy eating.

In the end, there is a seemingly unlikely but present bond between mental health and muscle strength. Therefore, it is important to realize the immense role that your body's muscles play and start exercising to strengthen them.

 

 

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