For a country obsessed with stars with six-pack abs and athletes who spend hours on the field, Indians surely lack awareness when it comes to muscle health and the problems that stem from ignoring it. A recent research conducted by a health company and a French market research firm, which surveyed 1,243 people aged between 30 and 55 years from eight Indian cities, revealed that 71 per cent of the respondents suffered from poor muscle health. It also stated that most Indians are unaware of the overall impact of this on general health and wellness. Sixty-eight per cent were found to have lower body protein content than recommended.

The main causes of poor muscle health include an imbalanced diet, sedentary lifestyle and lack of sleep. "When your muscles don't function how they are supposed to, be it due to fat in the body or a sedentary lifestyle, their quality suffers," says Dr Vikrant Shah, physician. Poor muscle health is also a cause for a host of other health issues. "Bones are supported by muscles. And if muscles are in poor health, they will be unable to perform this function.