Muscles - our biological life insurance

Muscle is a "luxury good"—use it or lose it

Our organism is, by nature, hyper-economical and evolutionarily programmed for survival in conditions of scarcity. Muscle tissue is a structure made of protein that is biologically expensive to maintain—it’s like a luxury car that requires oxygen and energy even while sitting in the garage.

If we don’t provide our muscles with enough active effort, the body switches to a ruthless "economy mode." It concludes pragmatically: "Why spend massive resources on maintaining a powerful engine if we’re only idling?" 

Starting from our 30s, the body begins to dismantle muscle mass unless it receives a counter-signal. This is biological optimization—the body tears down vital tissue and replaces it with passive fat tissue because it’s "cheaper" for its budget.

Muscle is your "hormonal broadcasting schedule"

We must stop viewing muscle as mere mass or a means of movement. Muscle is actually your body’s most powerful and intelligent metabolic organ—your internal chemical plant. An active muscle isn't just a source of power; it is an endocrine gland that produces myokines. These are signaling agents—biological messages that the muscle sends to every one of your internal organs.

When you exert a muscle, it sends a message to the brain: "Be more alert!" To the liver: "Burn fat!" To the immune system: "Strengthen the defenses!" This is your body’s internal communication. When the muscle is passive, silence reigns in your system. This silence is dangerous because, without instructions, your organs become far more passive. Active muscle mass is like a smart sponge—it soaks up excess sugar and fat from the blood, keeping your internal organs protected. This is biomechanical wisdom that keeps your system clean and lubricated from the inside out.

The mechanism of muscle development

To ensure the body builds rather than dismantles, we must create a biological demand. Muscle development, or hypertrophy, is not just sweating in the gym; it is a three-stage precision job:

• Active Effort
  This is the "command" to your biology. Consciously directed and controlled muscle work creates a state the body interprets as a survival necessity.
  
  

• Microtrauma and the Alarm Bell
  Deep exertion creates microscopic changes in muscle fibers. This triggers an alarm in the body (the mTOR pathway), which activates new muscle protein synthesis.
  
  

• Supercompensation
  This is the magic that happens during rest and sleep—the body rebuilds the muscle fibers, but this time, thicker and stronger.
  
  

We must stop viewing muscle as mere "mass" or a means of movement. Muscle is actually your body’s most powerful and intelligent metabolic organ—your internal chemical plant, which never rests for a moment. Active muscle mass is like a smart sponge — it soaks up excess sugar and fat from the blood, keeping your internal organs protected from the "flood."

If we let the muscle fade, we don't just lose strength - we lose control over our body’s internal climate. Without muscles, your metabolism is left "in the dark"—because the primary strategic point for burning energy and balancing hormones disappears. Muscle is your metabolic guardian — it prevents blood sugar from attacking your vessels and stops insulin from losing its rhythm. This is biomechanical wisdom that keeps your system clean and lubricated from the inside out.

Muscle is like a car engine — the larger the displacement, the more fuel it consumes. A car with a big engine burns more gasoline even while standing at a red light. The more muscle mass you have, the more blood sugar and calories your body burns simply while at rest — this is your basal metabolic rate.

The body becomes positively hungry, and strong, active muscle mass turns your body into a smart consumer. Food no longer migrates into fat tissue for storage but is directed into the engine as fuel. Furthermore, active muscle work makes blood flow faster—this is the best maintenance for your vessels, keeping them clean and elastic.

A harsh realization—muscle as the nervous system's protective layer

The most painful realization hits us when our mind is still sharp and our will to live is great, but our body fails us. A lack of muscle mass exposes the nerves. Muscle is most directly the physical armor of your nervous system — when this protective layer disappears, nerve roots are left literally trapped "between the bone and the skin."

Here, I must disappoint you — fat is not a protective layer. Many believe a softer body is somehow cushioned, but biomechanically, it doesn't work that way. For example, while sitting, the ends of the sit bones — which should actually be surrounded by strong gluteal muscles — simply sink through the soft fat layer and pinch the nerves anyway. Every movement, pressure, or position begins to create pains that are impossible to simply take away, because the cause isn't a disease, but a lack of protection. This is a mentally draining dissonance — you want to go and experience, but your body — your vehicle — has broken down.

Fat is passive fuel, not structural support. Only active muscle tissue can create the space that keeps nerves free. When the body loses its capability, it is not just a physical problem — it is a mental downward spiral. Chronic pain resulting from "exposed nerves" and worsening physical helplessness ruin a person mentally. It robs you of sleep, crumbles your confidence, and creates isolation. You no longer want to go out, you no longer dare to move. This is a fading that begins in the muscle but ends with the loss of joy in life. Strong muscle is the freedom to be independent and pain-free — it is the foundation of dignity.

Biological interest—an investment that never depreciates

Muscle is the only asset that is not subject to inflation, but it is also an asset that cannot be "borrowed" or bought. You must earn it yourself. When you build muscle in your 30s and 40s, you accumulate biological interest that will start paying you dividends when you are 70.

Aging is a process where the body tries to take strength away from you. The higher your starting position — the denser your "muscle armor" — the longer you remain above that critical threshold where helplessness begins. This is a conscious decision to postpone helplessness and choose active aging. Yes, as age increases, building muscle mass is physiologically slower and requires more precision, but it is absolutely possible and necessary. Science confirms that muscle responds to load at any age. Even if you start in your 70s, the body can synthesize new proteins and strengthen neural connections. This is no longer sport - it is the art of survival — a conscious decision to postpone helplessness and choose active aging.

What can you do today?

This is where theory meets real life. We aren't talking about expensive gym memberships here, but your daily relationship with your body. It is a reminder that every small effort is a stone in the fortress of your future. 

You don't have to break world records immediately or gasp for air in the gym. Start by noticing your body and giving it the chance to serve you. 

It is a long journey where every small step counts:

Create resistance—give the body a signal
Your body is pragmatic—if you don't use it, it "turns out the lights." Give it a signal that you are still here and you need this strength. This doesn't have to be a heavy barbell. It can be a squat onto a chair at home, stretching a resistance band in front of the TV, or simply walking up the stairs. What matters is that moment where you feel: "Aha, here is a slight effort!" Effort is the biological command that tells your body: "Don't dismantle, build!"

Choose quality fuel—help the build
You cannot build a stone house without stones. Muscle is a "luxury good" made of protein, and the body cannot create it out of thin air and love. Look at your plate with an honest eye—is there enough building material? Ensure your table has quality protein. This is your contribution so that your "engine" can renew itself and your nerve protection layer can thicken. Without fuel, training is just exhausting the body, with fuel, it is a smart investment.

Conscious control—restore the connection with yourself
This is perhaps even the most important point. Don't just "go through the motions" or move automatically while your thoughts are elsewhere. Stop and feel. When you squat, feel how the glute tightens. When you lift your arm, notice how the shoulder works. This is repairing the broken line between the nervous system and the muscle. 

Learning to consciously "switch on" your muscles again teaches your body to trust you once more. It is a conscious presence in your own physical raiment — it is the freedom to move without fear.

You have only one "horse" and you must ride it to the end...

Muscle is not just tissue that helps you lift things or look good in the gym—it is your metabolic life insurance and the physical armor that stands between you and the world. We tend to think that health is something given to us and which time inevitably takes away. But the truth is, we have the power to steer this process...

Long-term scientific studies based on prolonged observations confirm that leg strength is one of the most accurate biological indicators for predicting brain health and overall longevity. Strong lower-body muscle mass does not just ensure stability against falls and mobility into old age; it is directly related to larger gray matter volume and better cognitive ability. Essentially, your ability to perform a forceful squat or a brisk walk is a direct signal of your organism's true biological age.

Conscious muscle work is a way of telling your biology that you aren't ready to give up yet. It is a sign of the will to live. When you maintain your "engine," you aren't doing it just for today; you are gifting yourself dignity and freedom for decades to come. You are building an armor that keeps your nerves protected, your vessels supple, and your spirit sharp.

Ultimately, it all comes down to one simple truth—your body is the only place you have to live your entire life. Don't let this armor crumble on the altar of comfort. Keep your engine powerful, and that engine will keep you not just functioning, but truly alive — free, independent, and present.

See you in the gym!

xxx
Jana

PS. This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. For health concerns, diagnosis, or treatment, always consult a qualified specialist or physician.