Articles on Midlife Metabolism

Understanding the Science of Metabolic Change

The shifts in energy metabolism and body composition experienced by women after age 50 are grounded in well-documented physiological mechanisms. Rather than viewing these changes as mysterious or inevitable decline, understanding the underlying science provides clarity and context.

The six articles below examine each major physiological driver of metabolic change in midlife: muscle mass loss, hormonal transitions, energy expenditure patterns, fat redistribution, and the evidence from longitudinal research. Each explores the mechanisms without prescriptive recommendations or promises of outcomes.

Select an article to explore the detailed science behind midlife metabolic changes.

Sarcopenia and Resting Energy Expenditure After 50

Explore the mechanisms of age-related muscle mass decline and its direct impact on resting metabolic rate. Examines longitudinal data and the role of lean tissue in energy expenditure.

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Menopausal Oestrogen Decline and Fat Distribution

Understand how oestrogen withdrawal during menopause influences adipose tissue distribution, the shift toward visceral fat accumulation, and hormonal influences on body composition.

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Insulin Sensitivity in Post-Menopausal Women

Examine how glucose handling changes in the post-menopausal period, the mechanisms behind insulin resistance shifts, and research on metabolic flexibility in midlife.

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NEAT and Daily Energy Expenditure in Midlife

Explore non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) observations in midlife, spontaneous movement patterns, and the contribution of daily activity to total energy expenditure changes.

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Adaptive Thermogenesis During Ageing

Understand metabolic adaptation, energy conservation mechanisms in aging, and the physiological responses to sustained energy deficit in women after 50.

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Longitudinal Changes in Body Composition After 50

Review cohort study summaries tracking women over decades, patterns of weight and fat distribution changes, and individual variability in midlife metabolic trajectories.

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