Nutrition and Aging: Changes in the Regulation of Energy Metabolism With Aging

Abstract

Changes in energy regulation occur during normal aging and contribute to the common phenomenon of weight and fat losses late in life. This review synthesizes data on aging-related changes in energy intake and energy expenditure and on the regulation of energy intake and expenditure. The ability of older adults to accurately regulate energy intake is impaired, with a number of possible explanations including delayed rate of absorption of macronutrients secondary to reductions in taste and smell acuity and numerous hormonal and metabolic mediators of energy regulation that change with aging. There are also changes in patterns of dietary intake and a reduction in the variety of foods consumed in old age that are thought to further reduce energy intake. Additionally, all components of energy expenditure decrease with aging, in particular energy expenditure for physical activity and basal metabolic rate, and the ability of energy expenditure to increase or decrease to attenuate energy imbalance during overeating or undereating also decreases. Combined, these changes result in an increased susceptibility to energy imbalance (both positive and negative) in old age that is associated with deteriorations in health. Practical interventions for prevention of weight and fat fluctuations in old age are anticipated here based on emerging knowledge of the role of such factors as dietary variety, taste, and palatability in late-life energy regulation.

Population dependent effects of photoperiod on diapause related physiological traits in an invasive beetle (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

“…Absolute metabolic rates could differ, northern beetles being more efficient at foraging and dispersing during early life, and strongly suppressing metabolic rate (and energy loss) as fast as lipid sequestering is finished (Study II). However since the RMR was higher at 5 days than at 10 days after emergence in both populations, the decrease is probably an inherent part of the developmental process (Hack 1997, Roberts & Rosenberg 2006, Grodzicki & Walentynowicz 2011. Therefore the results might reflect differences in rates, rather than absolute metabolic activity levels and the southern population could also show suppression of RMR when a few days older (Lehmann et al unpublished).…”

Enhanced longevity and metabolism by brown adipose tissue with disruption of the regulator of G protein signaling 14

“…The current field of aging‐related research is focused more on extending a healthful lifespan, rather than simply extending lifespan, as older individuals with complications of aging that impair the quality of life often do not feel that further extension of lifespan is desirable. It was therefore important to determine whether these mice were also protected from risk factors that impair healthful aging, for example, protection against obesity (American Diabetes, 2004; Brown, Fujioka, Wilson & Woodworth, 2009; Guh et al., 2009) and impaired metabolism (Finkel, 2015; Nguyen, Samson, Reddy, Gonzalez & Sekhar, 2013; Roberts & Rosenberg, 2006). Indeed, the RGS14 KO mice have a reduced WAT/body weight ratio, are protected against the cold, and have increased mitochondrial biogenesis.…”

Mechanisms of the anorexia of aging—a review

“…Lack of appetite in depressed patients is associated with increased concentrations of serotonin and CRF, probably due to increased ghrelin secretion caused by the stimulation of serotonin 5-HT 2B and 5-HT 2C receptors (Takeda et al 2013). Older people suffering from depression show a higher degree of dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitaryadrenal axis activity compared with younger adults (Belvederi Murri et al 2014) and consequently they eat less when depressed (Roberts and Rosenberg 2006).…”