Not many people know this, but SKELETAL MUSCLE IS AN ENDOCRINE ORGAN! It is official. How come?

This type of muscle releases MYOKINES. Myokines are small protein peptides that are hormones. Hormones are messengers. Every time you contract skeletal muscle, myokines are produced and released.  

What do myokines actually do? They reduce inflammation, they boost the functioning of the immune system, and boost the metabolism generally. We know that inflammation lies behind nearly all chronic health conditions. Think of arthritis, Crohn’s, asthma, cardiovascular disease. 

Most importantly, myokines increase blood flow to the brain, and this improves one’s sense of wellbeing and capacity to learn. Specifically, myokines increase production of BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor). BDNF stimulates the production of new neurones and increases the size of the hippocampus and therefore of memory. High levels of BDNF also reduces levels of mood disorders.

Furthermore, by increasing your muscle mass, you can slow the effects of ageing. As we age, we experience a constant, progressive decline in muscle mass (aka sarcopenia) and this is linked also with gradual diminishing of physical activity. Actually sarcopenia can begin in your thirties. Dr Gabriel Lyons says: “People with less muscle mass have lower rates of survival from nearly all diseases. During times of infection, physical trauma, and cancer, the Human body requires a significant influx of amino acids (the building blocks of protein). The body resources these from its own amino acid reservoirs: muscle tissue.”

What is the best way to increase production of myokines? 

Strength training has been shown to be the most effective way to do this. This means weights rather than walking or running. Research clearly shows that strength training reduces risk of developing dementia, diabetes and heart disease.

Dr Gabriel Lyons reckons that the skeletal muscle system may be the most important (system) for regaining/creating exceptional health and maximum physical performance. She says that “the higher your healthy muscle mass, the greater your protection against all-cause mortality and morbidity.”

(Ref: Dr Gabriel Lyons, ‘Forever Strong’ 2023)