Abstract
Adiposity increases with age. The size of the adipose tissue mass is determined by the balance between the recruitment of lipid substrates (ie free fatty acids) from adipose tissue and their subsequent oxidation by respiring tissues. Thus, change in the liberation of free fatty acids from adipocytes, the capacity of respiring tissue to oxidize free fatty acids or a combination of both may contribute to the age-related increase in body fat. This review focuses on studies that have examined the effect of age on free fatty acid release and the capacity of respiring tissues to oxidize fat. In vitro studies have shown that hormonal and pharmacological stimulation of lipolysis diminished with age. Despite this cellular defect, however, in vivo studies suggest that fatty acids are recruited from adipose tissue in excess of the energy demands of the body in older individuals. The capacity of respiring tissues, in particular skeletal muscle, to oxidize fat declines with age. The age-related decrease in fat oxidation is related to a reduction in both the quantity and oxidative capacity of respiring tissue. Taken together, these results suggest that an age-related decrease in the capacity of respiring tissues to oxidize fat, rather than decreased free fatty acid release, is a more likely determinant of lipid imbalance and the age-related increase in adiposity. Interventions designed to increase the mass or oxidative capacity of respiring tissue, therefore, may be effective in counteracting the age-related reduction in fat oxidation.
European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2000) 54, Suppl 3, S121–S125
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Toth, M., Tchernof, A. Lipid metabolism in the elderly. Eur J Clin Nutr 54 (Suppl 3), S121–S125 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601033
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601033
- Springer Nature Limited
Keywords
This article is cited by
-
Fatty acid oxidation facilitates DNA double-strand break repair by promoting PARP1 acetylation
Cell Death & Disease (2023)
-
Both age and social environment shape the phenotype of ant workers
Scientific Reports (2023)
-
Evidence of altered fatty acid metabolism in dogs with naturally occurring valvular heart disease and congestive heart failure
Metabolomics (2022)
-
Beta-guanidinopropionic acid has age-specific effects on markers of health and function in mice
GeroScience (2021)
-
The influence of patient’s age on metabolic and bariatric results of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in 2-year observation
BMC Surgery (2020)