What Is Muscle Metabolism?

At present, scientists are not only unable to explain these biochemical abnormalities, nor can they give appropriate medications for this. However, following the basic principles of muscle nutrition and metabolism will help maintain muscle mass in children with muscular atrophy.

Muscle metabolism

Muscle metabolism in spinal muscular atrophy and other muscle disorders

For patients with SMA and many other neuromuscular diseases, muscle atrophy or hypoplasia is very common. Although the most obvious consequence of muscle atrophy is atrophy of the limbs, in fact the atrophied muscle group can have a serious impact on the nutrition of the patient. Because as a nutrient storage or "buffer", muscles play an irreplaceable role in the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and minerals.

The loss or weakening of this buffering capacity limits the body's ability to self-regulate nutritional imbalances caused by, for example, diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. For example: For a malnourished child or adult, extremely common diarrhea can also be fatal because atrophied muscles cannot adequately replenish lost potassium and water.

1. Control of hypoglycemia and low amino acids caused by excessively long non-feeding periods to minimize muscle protein degradation.

2. Ensure that there is sufficient protein intake in the daily diet to maintain normal blood amino acid content and thus increase muscle protein synthesis capacity.

The nutrition plan developed to achieve the above two points should include:

1. Increase intake of complex carbohydrates.

2. Eat at least 2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day.

3 For infants, keep the non-feeding period within 6 hours. For young children, it should be controlled within 10-12 hours. Depending on age and activity, your child's diet should provide the calories he needs. At the same time, note that although children with SMA need a low-fat diet, they should also ensure that they can consume enough fatty acids (minimum 5% of calories) necessary for the body.

For older babies and toddlers, if they can sleep until the next morning, then adding some uncooked corn starch (1 g / kg) before going to bed will provide them with a good slow-release compound Source of carbohydrates, because uncooked corn starch can maintain blood glucose concentration for a longer time than other starches, thereby effectively shortening the non-feeding period at night.

Attention should be paid to the nutritional problems of children during illness, especially those that cause vomiting and affect calorie intake. If children with SMA are unable to eat or drink to get the daily calories they need (usually 100 calories / kg / day for infants and 70-80 calories / kg / day for infants), they may need to be given intravenous glucose

Scientists know that although such a "nutrition therapy" is not the exact cure for SMA and any other muscle disease, following these muscle nutrition principles may help avoid unnecessary muscle loss. It is also possible to help patients maintain muscle strength and enhance the important buffer functions of human nutrition and metabolism in the longer term. ^[1]

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