Metabolism is the process that turns food into energy, so your body can work properly. As you get older, your metabolism slows down due to various factors. Here are some of the factors that contribute to the slowing of metabolism:
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Loss of muscle mass: As you age, you naturally lose muscle mass. This results in burning calories at a lower rate.
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Less active: As you get older, you may get less physical activity than you used to. Not getting enough exercise can lead to weight gain and cardiovascular disease, which also contribute to the slowing of your metabolism.
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Hormonal and neurological changes: Metabolism slows with age due to loss of muscle tissue, but also due to hormonal and neurological changes.
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Gender and genes: Men typically have a faster metabolism because they have more muscle mass, heavier bones, and less body fat. Genes determine your muscle size and ability to grow muscles, which also affect your metabolism.
According to a study published in the journal Science, metabolism remains stable all through adult life, from age 20 to 60 years old. Metabolism peaks around age 1, when babies burn calories 50 percent faster than adults, and then gradually declines roughly 3 percent a year until around age 20. From there, metabolism plateaus until about age 60, when it starts to slowly decline again, by less than 1 percent annually. Therefore, it is not accurate to say that metabolism slows down at a specific age, but rather it is a gradual process that starts in early adulthood and continues throughout life.
