Physician: Muscle loss accelerates metabolic decline in older adults
Experts on a new health segment explain how aging impacts organ energy and discuss practical approaches to end-of-life conversations.
By Grace Almasi ·
Dr. Rhea Rogers, a board-certified physician, stated that the human body functions like a network of power plants, with each organ requiring its own specific energy source. She explained that when the energy supply to an organ demanding high output becomes depleted, physical symptoms appear more rapidly. This mechanism accounts for why vision and hearing deficits often manifest earlier in older populations.
Rogers detailed the physiological shifts that accompany aging, noting that individuals typically gain fat while losing muscle mass. She identified muscle as a primary driver in how the body processes glucose, the substance that fuels cellular energy. The reduction in muscle tissue directly impacts this metabolic process, altering how the body manages energy reserves.
The program also examined the dynamics of end-of-life communication. Gerontologist Sam Cradduck advised that individuals preparing to die should not feel compelled to maintain a strong demeanor or manage the emotions of their family members. Cradduck emphasized that the dying person requires support just as much as the grieving survivors. He noted that while the bereaved are losing a loved one, they simultaneously have the chance to support the person departing.
Katherine Ambrose, an aging well coach, observed that every person navigates the final stage of life differently. She cited grief, unfinished business, and relationship dynamics as common factors individuals must address during this period. Ambrose highlighted the variability in how people handle these complex emotional and logistical challenges.
Laura Lyster-Mensh, a death doula based at Historic Congressional Cemetery in Washington, D.C., promotes what she terms death positivity. Her role involves guiding visitors in the national landmark through healthy discussions about mortality. She works to normalize conversations regarding the end of life for those visiting the cemetery grounds.
A separate segment focused on the Food Court 5000, a group of mall walkers who gather every Sunday morning. Founder Krista Catwood said the group covers three and a half miles of power walking in neon athletic wear and scrunchies. Catwood stated the activity is designed to be silly, social, and communal. She noted that the group has become local celebrities at the Lloyd Center mall in Oregon.
