What is the age when health sh*t hits the fan?

What metabolic health changes can happen after 35? And do we have to be scared?

Recently in conversation, the topic of menopause positioning in the media came up. How a lot of the messaging is around the many symptoms that can range from odd to odder and outright scary. What we need to remember though, is that nobody will have ALL perimenopause symptoms and that there are many good days throughout the time that can span up to 10 years. Instead of just focusing on the bad, the difficult to pin point hormonal, let’s break down metabolic health changes.

Metabolic health is the absence of metabolic disease and by knowing what changes to expect, we can be more proactive and try and get things back into balance. A recent article, determined that women who made one metabolic health change, could improve their longevity by 3.5 years and if they made up to eight changes, they could add up to 24 years.

Slower metabolism:

Metabolism tends to slow down with age, leading to a decrease in the number of calories burned at rest. This can make weight management more challenging and may require adjustments to dietary habits and physical activity levels.

Loss of muscle mass:

Muscle mass gradually declines with age, a process called sarcopenia. As muscle tissue burns more calories than fat, this loss can further contribute to a slower metabolism and may impact overall physical strength and functional abilities.

Insulin resistance:

After 35, some individuals may experience increased insulin resistance, leading to higher blood sugar levels. This can be a precursor to type 2 diabetes and highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise.

Changes in fat distribution:

As hormones fluctuate during perimenopause and menopause, women may notice changes in fat distribution, often leading to increased abdominal fat.

Bone density changes:

After 35, both men and women may start to experience a gradual decline in bone density, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, along with weight-bearing exercises, can help support bone health.

Cholesterol levels:

Cholesterol levels: Some individuals may observe changes in cholesterol levels, with LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) tending to increase and HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol) decreasing.

If you want personalized help to address any of the above, so you can maintain good health as you age, reach out to us and of course we will also help you tackle some of the odd and odder symptoms.