Man and woman outside holding yoga poses.

By Alicia Hansen, Lifestyle Consultant, St. Cloud Center

Do you ever catch yourself saying “It’s harder to lose weight, because my darn metabolism has slowed down!” In fact, if we were to ask you this question:

Which of the following is true of metabolism?

And provided you with two possible answers:

  1. Metabolism slows down with age.
  2. Metabolism doesn’t slow down with age.

We’re willing to bet the majority of readers would choose #1 as their answer.

Metabolism and Age – What We Were Taught

For decades, people have blamed metabolism and age for why they’re not losing weight—or why they’re carrying around extra pounds—as they get older. 

Our bodies and hormones experience many changes as we age, including loss of muscle mass, strength, and elastic tissue. But is age really responsible for a slower metabolism, too?

It appears that when we hit our 30s, or even our mid 20s, there is a culture stigma that says “CAUTION! Now entering a slower metabolism zone.” For many years, metabolism has been blamed in part for the rise in obesity, but due to recent studies, our perception on metabolism is about to change. 

So, now back to our original question.

At What Age Does Your Metabolism Slow Down?

A recent study published in the journal Science suggests that metabolism may not decrease as rapidly as we originally suspected with age.

About the Study

After analyzing 6,421 individuals over the span of 40 years (subjects varied from infants to elderly), it was reported that around the age of 20, our metabolism barely shifts until we reach the age of 60. 

What’s even more interesting is that this study suggests that there may be four phases of metabolic life. 

Phase 1: The first phase of metabolic life would be at birth, where metabolic rate is at its highest. 

Phase 2: The second phase would be between the ages of 1 through 20, where our metabolism is slightly lower than that of a newborn. 

After our 20s, the metabolic rate stays relatively consistent all the way into our 60s (for both men and women). 

What Happens After 60?

Studies reveal that as we move into our 60s, there is a slight decrease in metabolism, at about 1% each year. Therefore, in the grand scheme of things, one can say that our metabolic rate does in fact decrease with age, but it’s likely not near the alarming rate that many people still think it is.

With that being said, there are plenty of years available to take full advantage of a healthy metabolic rate. 

Metabolism Boosting Tips

Staying active and eating foods that nourish your body with essential vitamins and minerals is important at any age. But as we get older, we tend to find excuses for not sticking to this quality lifestyle.

If you’re looking to boost your metabolism in your 30s, 40s, or 50s, you’ll want to incorporate healthy habits into your daily routine.Here’s a few ideas:

  • Throw in some high intensity aerobic exercise and strength training to help build lean muscle mass, which may help boost metabolism—regardless of your age. 
  • Eat high quality protein and vegetables to properly nourish your muscles. Also getting quality sleep, as well as eating every 2-3 hours, may help keep your metabolism in check. 
  • Find a community of weight-loss experts, dietitians, and nutritionists to help you find the best meal plan and exercise program that fits your lifestyle, budget, and nutritional needs!

We can help you with that last tip! Discover how Livea’s customized meal plans can help you reach your goals by meeting you where you are! To learn more, contact us today at 1-855-GoLivea (1-855-465-4832) for a complimentary consultation!

_____________________________________________________________________

Resources