One of the largest studies of its kind suggests the body's metabolism remains relatively constant between the ages of 20 and 60, according to results published yesterday. The conclusion counters the common notion that metabolism gradually declines year by year in adults and is partially responsible for weight gain throughout middle age.
The study involved more than 6,500 participants ranging in age from less than 10 days to over 90 years old. Researchers found metabolism—the rate at which your body burns energy to fuel processes ranging from cellular function to blood circulation—peaks around age one and declines by about 3% per year until age 20. After plateauing for four decades, the study suggests metabolism begins to drop again by 1% per year. No differences were found between men and women.
Researchers are still working to understand the decrease in older age, noting that it may be linked to cellular-level processes.