Other names for Wasting

Muscle wasting
Cachexia
Unintended weight and tissue loss

Synopsis of Wasting

Wasting is a severe form of unintentional weight loss characterized by the progressive loss of muscle mass, fat stores, and strength. It is commonly associated with chronic illnesses such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, advanced heart failure, and malnutrition. In medical terms, it may be called cachexia when it involves systemic inflammation and metabolic disruption. Wasting leads to fatigue, weakness, lowered immunity, and impaired healing. It is a serious clinical sign that often signals a decline in overall health and requires prompt intervention through nutritional, metabolic, and underlying disease management.

Types:

• Primary wasting: Due to inadequate nutrient intake (e.g., famine, eating disorders)

• Secondary wasting: Occurs in chronic illness (e.g., cancer cachexia, HIV-related wasting)

• Sarcopenia: Age-related loss of muscle mass and function

• Neuromuscular wasting: Associated with neurological disorders or immobilization

Common Causes:

• Chronic diseases (HIV/AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, COPD)

• Malnutrition or poor dietary intake

• Hypermetabolic states (e.g., sepsis, burns, trauma)

• Hormonal imbalances (e.g., cortisol, thyroid dysfunction)

• Prolonged inactivity or bedrest

• Malabsorption syndromes (e.g., celiac, IBD)

• Substance abuse or chronic stress

Severity Causes:

• Untreated or late-stage disease

• Persistent inflammation or infection

• Digestive disorders impairing nutrient absorption

• Coexisting depression or appetite loss

• Inadequate protein and micronutrient intake

When to See a Doctor:

• Unexplained weight loss over weeks or months

• Visible muscle loss or weakness

• Chronic illness with reduced appetite or eating ability

• Difficulty performing basic activities or recovering from illness

• Digestive symptoms or nutrient malabsorption

Natural remedies for Wasting

Aloe vera: Supports gut health and may help soothe inflammation in individuals with digestive-related nutrient loss.

Magnesium: Helps maintain muscle and nerve function. Essential in repletion for individuals losing lean body mass.

Probiotics: Improve nutrient absorption and gut barrier function, especially helpful in malabsorption or inflammation-linked wasting.

Vitamin C: Supports collagen formation, tissue repair, and immune function, critical during muscle and weight loss recovery.

Zinc: Aids immune function, tissue healing, and appetite stimulation—often deficient in wasting conditions.

Nutrient-dense, high-calorie meals: Include healthy fats (avocados, oils), protein (eggs, fish, legumes), and complex carbohydrates to replenish lost stores.

Resistance exercise: Gentle strength training (if tolerated) can help preserve or rebuild muscle mass.

Manage inflammation: Anti-inflammatory herbs, nutrient support, and treatment of underlying disease reduce metabolic wasting.

Ingredients

These raw ingredients are often used in alternative medicine to treat Wasting

Acetyl L-carnitine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Aloe vera
Alpha D-ribofuranose
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
apricot
astragalus
bovine liver
branched-chain amino acids
colostrum
cordyceps
creatine monohydrate
L-leucine
lentinula edodes mycelia
magnesium
medium chain triglycerides (MCT)
vitamin B12
vitamin C
whey protein
zinc
17 beta-hydroxy 2 alpha,17beta-dimethyl 5 alpha-androstan 3-one azine
17 beta-[1-ketoethyl]-androstane-3-one,17a-ol
19-Norandrosta-drol
2a 17a -dimethyl 17a hydroxy, 5a etiocholan 3-one
2a, 17a-dimethyl-17b-hydroxy-5a-androstan-3-one
4-DHEA
4-androsterone
5-androstene-3alpha,17beta-diol
Acetyl L-Carnitine
Animal Tissue
Adrenals
Arginine Creatine
Ambergris
Arachidonic Acid
Antler horn
Alpha ketoglutarate
AHCC
Algae (unspecified)
Agaricus mushroom (unspecified)
Albumin
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
Agaricus blazei
Abrotanum
Amino Acid (unspecified)
Algal protein
Amino Acid Blend/Complex
Adenosine triphosphate
Antler Horn
Ant
Acetyl-L-Carnitine-L-Arginine
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Albumen
Animal protein
Beef Protein
Beef
Beef liver
Bone Marrow
Beef
Boron Alpha-Ketoglutarate
Bone marrow
Beta Hydroxybutyrate
Branched-Chain Amino Acids
BCAA
Branched Chain Amino Acids
Beef liver
Beef Extract
Beef Extract
Corn Protein
Calcium leucine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Coenzyme A
Creatine glutamine
Codonopsis
Chicken Protein
Cordyceps
Cistanche deserticola
Creatine phosphate
Calcium hydroxymethylbutyrate
Calcium alpha-ketoisocaproate
Calcium alpha-ketoglutarate
Creatine
Chicken
Creatine gluconate
Creatine leucine
Creatine-leucine
Creatine Orotate
Creatine alpha-ketoglutarate
Creatine Pyruvate
Creatine Malate
Cistanche (unspecified)
Calcium Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Creatine alpha-aminobutyrate
Creatine leucinate
Creatine valine
Deer Velvet
Dry Milk
D-Ribose
Eurycoma Longifolia
Guanidinoacetic acid
Glutamine alpha-ketogutarate
Glutamine alpha-ketoglutarate
GMS-ribose
glucose
Glycocyamine
Glucose
Hydroxymethylbutyrate
HMB Hydroxymethylbutyrate
Hypothalamus protein
Hydrolyzed protein (unspecified)
Iron
isoleucine alpha-ketoglutarate
Isoleucine
Iron
Ibutamoren
Insulin-Like Growth Factor
Lentinan
Lysine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Liver
L-Leucine
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
Lactalbumin
Lactalbumin
Liver
Marine Protein
METHIONINE
Medium Chain Triglycerides
Maitake Mushroom
Maltodextrin
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide
Ornithine ketoglutarate
Ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Phosphocreatine
Proprietary Blend (Amino Acid/Protein)
Pseudostellaria heterophylla
Ribose
Ribose
Suma
Sodium pyruvate
Taurine Alpha-ketoisocaproate
Tetrahydrocannabinol
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 (methylcobalamin)
Vitamin B12 (unspecified)
Vitamin B9 (folinic acid)
Vitamin B12 (mixed)
Vitamin B12 (cyanacobalamin)
Vitamin B12 (various)
Vitamin B1 (thiamine diphosphate)
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin)
Vitamin B1 (fursultiamine)
Veal
Vitamin B1 (unspecified)
Vitamin B1 (thiamin disulfide)
Whey Protein
Whey protin