Body Imbalance Indicators Over 50 and Solutions to Restore Harmony
5 Telltale Signs Your Metabolism Needs a Reboot Past 50
Your body is always talking to you, and after 50, it might be whispering that your metabolism needs a boost. Registered dietitian Samantha Peterson at Simply Wellness suggests not viewing this as a crisis but rather a prompt to adapt your lifestyle for better health. Let's dive into the signs your metabolism could use a reset.
1. Struggling with Energy and Mental Focus
Feeling lethargic and foggy could indicate your cells' energy factories, mitochondria, aren't functioning optimally. Brea Lofton, RD at Lumen, explains that this can negatively impact your energy levels and cognitive prowess throughout the day.
2. Unexpected Weight Gain and a Stubborn Belly
Accumulating excess pounds, particularly in the abdominal region, is a red flag for a metabolic slowdown, especially when changes in eating habits seem minimal. Brea notes that hormonal changes post-50 encourage fat storage around organs, exacerbating metabolic difficulties.
3. Decreasing Muscle Strength and Define
Muscles, termed "the metabolic engine" by Samantha, play a crucial role in burning calories during exercise and at rest. As sarcopenia, age-related muscle loss, accelerates after 50, your overall energy expenditure declines.
4. Trouble Sleeping and Poor Rest
Sleep quality is intimately linked to metabolic wellness, as poor sleep impacts hormones like cortisol and ghrelin, leading to changes in appetite and how our bodies store fat.
5. Uncontrollable Cravings and Blood Sugar Swings
Frequent hunger and a sudden desire for sugary or carb-rich foods can be an indication of decreased insulin sensitivity. This disrupted appetite regulation is a red flag that your metabolism may be out of balance and in need of a reset.
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- To boost energy and mental focus, consider adopting a holistic approach to wellness that includes fitness, diet, and sleep, as suggested by Samantha Peterson.
- Struggling with weight loss, particularly in the abdominal region, might signal a slowdown in metabolism, and Brea Lofton from Lumen recommends seeking therapies and treatments to manage weight.
- Embracing a health-and-wellness lifestyle, including fitness-and-exercise and mental-health therapies, can help combat age-related muscle loss and maintain a strong metabolism.
- Improved sleep quality, achieved through proper nutrition and sleep habits, contributes to overall metabolic wellness and aids in weight management.
- Aging can affect both men's-health and women's-health, but understanding the signs, such as uncontrollable cravings and blood sugar swings, allows for targeted approaches to maintain metabolic balance.
- Medically-supervised weight-management programs, often covered by Medicare, can provide strategies for managing weight and improving metabolism as we age.
- A well-rounded, low-sugar diet, combined with regular exercise, can help combat weight gain and support metabolic health in menopause.
- Prioritizing workplace-wellness initiatives, such as offering fitness classes or education on nutrition, can support employees in maintaining healthy metabolic function.
- Older adults should discuss their health concerns, including metabolic issues, with their healthcare providers and explore personalized solutions for improved wellness.
- Adopting a lifestyle that emphasizes physical activity, diet, and mental health can help counter the effects of aging on the metabolism and promote holistic health.