Category: Aging

According to Mayo Clinic Health System, protein needs increase for individuals over age 40 to 50 due to sarcopenia, the age-related loss of muscle mass. Therefore, understanding how much protein does a 48 year old woman need daily is crucial for maintaining strength, energy, and overall health as she ages.

According to studies, older adults need higher concentrations to distinguish flavors compared to younger adults, confirming that taste perception can and does change with age. This decline in taste sensitivity, alongside other biological and psychological shifts, means that it's entirely possible to become a picky eater as you get older.

As people age, their basal metabolic rate can decrease by about 1-2% per decade after the age of 40, which is a key reason why older adults have lower energy requirements than younger adults. This reduction is driven by several physiological shifts that directly impact a person's metabolic rate and total energy expenditure.

According to a study published in *JAMA Neurology*, a high-fat and high-sugar diet was shown to adversely affect brain amyloid chemistry in a short period of time. No foods directly produce amyloid protein, as it is made by the body. However, certain dietary patterns and specific foods are linked to increased amyloid protein aggregation and related inflammation, suggesting an important connection between diet and risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Research indicates that by age 60, human NAD+ levels can be up to 50% lower than in youth. The natural process of aging is a primary factor, but a range of environmental and lifestyle factors also significantly accelerate the depletion of this vital coenzyme, impacting cellular energy and repair. Understanding what lowers NAD+ is the first step toward proactive health strategies.

According to the National Institute on Aging, some people over 50 have trouble absorbing vitamin B12 from food, making supplementation necessary for many. For this and other reasons, it's essential to understand what are the best supplements to take over 60 to support your health in later years.

As adults age, approximately 65% of the world's population experiences a reduced ability to digest lactose. This raises a critical question for many entering a new decade: should you drink milk in your 40s, or do the potential downsides outweigh the nutritional benefits?

The average person has between 2,000 and 10,000 taste buds at birth, but this number and their sensitivity diminish over time, starting around middle age. This biological reality leads many people to wonder, 'do you like sugar less as you get older?'

According to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation, 50% of women and up to 25% of men over 50 will break a bone in their lifetime due to osteoporosis. While milk is often lauded for its bone-building nutrients, whether it's still a good choice after 40 depends on individual health and dietary needs.

Did you know that the average person's taste bud count significantly decreases and regenerates less effectively after age 50? This biological fact, along with other factors, is central to understanding the complex relationship behind why older people like bitter food is often misunderstood and how their palates evolve with age.