Nutrition and ageing

Question 1

What are the changes in EE with ageing?

Answer 1

• decrease in TEE, RMR, BMR, AEE

- changes with BMI too, having impact on morbidity and mortality

Question 2

What is the impact of large loss of metabolically active tissues aka muscles?

Answer 2

impact on RMR, BMR, TEE

Question 3

What are the clinical issues in terms of loss of lean tissue?

Answer 3

• increase of obesity (lower TEE)
• sarcopenia (loss muscle mass, strength, function)
• less resilience to stressors and catabolic/immune activation
• component of frailty

Question 4

What are the hormonal changes during ageing?

Answer 4

• alterations in body composition mirroring changes in hormonal function
• reductions in GH-IGF axis activity
• reductions in thyroid hormone activity
• reductions in thyroid hormone activity
• reduction in sex steroids (androgens, estrogens)
• increased adrenal activity
• impaired/altered sympathetic activity
• insulin resistance
• inflammation common
• possible mitochondrial dysfunction (still in research)

Question 5

Why is there insulin resistance as a result of ageing and hormonal changes?

Answer 5

• due to increased fat mass
• hormonal changes
• inflammation
• reduced physical activity

Question 6

What is sarcopenia and what happens?

Answer 6

• loss of muscle mass, strength, function
• loss of motorneurones and alteration in motorunit patterns of recruitment
• muscle quality/fat infiltration