Rogers: Metabolic Shifts Drive Age-Related Symptoms Beyond Weight
Physicians explain how cellular energy loss impacts organ function, medication processing, and glucose regulation.
By Alina Marshall ·
As people age, the body’s capacity to generate and use energy undergoes measurable changes that extend far beyond weight management. Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, described this process as a gradual decline in cellular vitality. She stated that aging is fundamentally the loss of cellular energy, which leads to the physical symptoms commonly associated with getting older.
Rogers characterized metabolism as the body’s power plant, noting that mitochondria act as battery packs supplying energy to every organ. She explained that organs with high energy demands, such as the brain and heart, exhibit symptoms of decline more quickly when that power is depleted. This explains why issues with eyesight and hearing often manifest earlier in older adults, as these sensory organs require substantial energy to function and heal.
When cells fail to produce adequate energy, individuals often experience cognitive and physical changes. Rogers listed brain fog, fatigue, and a general feeling of being out of it as common indicators. She emphasized that basic biological functions depend on this energy supply, including heartbeats, breathing, and the immune system’s ability to fight infection.
Gerontologist Sam Cradduck compared the metabolic system to a power plant, reinforcing the idea that energy production is central to bodily maintenance. Cradduck noted that many people view metabolism strictly through the lens of weight gain, but it also influences how older adults process medications. This broader function is often overlooked in public health discussions.
The loss of muscle mass, a condition known as sarcopenia, plays a central role in these metabolic shifts. Rogers explained that many hormones responsible for maintaining muscle mass decline with age. Aging expert Amy O'Rourke observed that patients frequently prioritize weight loss over strength, sometimes forgetting that gaining weight can be a positive sign if it reflects increased muscle mass. She recommended strength training two to three times a week to counteract this decline.
Muscle tissue is directly involved in glucose regulation. Rogers stated that muscles must absorb glucose to use it for energy. When muscles fail to take up glucose, a condition known as insulin resistance occurs, which is the starting point for prediabetes. She noted that building more muscle improves the body's ability to manage this process effectively.
Rogers also cited metabolic inflexibility, defined as the inability to switch between using fat and carbohydrates for energy, as a factor in the earlier onset of Type 2 diabetes. She attributed this loss of efficiency to environmental toxins and inflammation. Aging well coach Katherine Ambrose suggested focusing on creating health and energy rather than waiting to manage disease, a perspective supported by Rogers’ list of priorities, which includes muscle stimulation, inflammation control, toxin removal, nutrition, and sleep.
