Aging

Articles tagged with "Aging".

Age-Related Changes in Slow Wave Sleep and REM Sleep: Growth Hormone and Cortisol Connection

Tags: Aging, Slow Wave Sleep, REM Sleep, Growth Hormone, Cortisol

October 22, 2025

How Does Aging Change Your Sleep Architecture and Hormone Production?

Aging dramatically alters sleep architecture, with this landmark study showing that slow wave sleep (deep sleep) decreases by approximately 75% between ages 20 and 60, while growth hormone secretion during sleep declines by 80% over the same period. Simultaneously, cortisol levels increase with age, creating a hormonal environment that further impairs sleep quality and recovery. REM sleep also decreases with aging, though less dramatically than slow wave sleep. These age-related changes explain why older adults experience lighter, more fragmented sleep and reduced physical recovery, highlighting the interconnected relationship between sleep architecture and hormonal health throughout the lifespan.

Protein Before Sleep Increases Overnight Muscle Protein Synthesis in Older Men

Tags: Protein Synthesis, Sleep, Muscle Building, Aging, Nutrition

October 22, 2025

Does Eating Protein Before Bed Actually Build Muscle Overnight?

Consuming 40 grams of casein protein before bedtime significantly increases overnight muscle protein synthesis rates in healthy older men, this randomized controlled trial demonstrates. The study found that pre-sleep protein ingestion elevated muscle protein synthesis by 22% during overnight sleep compared to placebo, with the effect sustained throughout the 7.5-hour sleep period. The protein was effectively digested and absorbed during sleep, with amino acid levels remaining elevated throughout the night. This research challenges the traditional view that muscle building only occurs during waking hours and suggests that the overnight period represents an important opportunity for muscle protein synthesis, particularly in older adults who may have reduced anabolic sensitivity.

Skin Temperature and Sleep Onset: How Aging and Insomnia Affect Thermal Regulation

Tags: Skin Temperature, Sleep Onset, Aging, Insomnia, Thermoregulation

October 22, 2025

How Do Skin Temperature Changes Predict Sleep Onset Across Different Ages?

Skin temperature patterns, particularly in the hands and feet (distal skin temperature), serve as reliable predictors of sleep onset in young healthy adults, with warmer extremities indicating faster sleep initiation. However, this research reveals that aging and insomnia significantly alter these thermal patterns, with older adults and people with insomnia showing disrupted skin temperature regulation that correlates with longer sleep onset times. The study found that the normal evening rise in distal skin temperature that facilitates sleep onset becomes blunted or delayed in older adults and those with sleep disorders, suggesting that age-related changes in thermoregulation contribute to sleep difficulties.

Sleep Duration and Dementia Risk: 7 Hours Protects Your Brain Long-Term

Tags: Sleep Duration, Dementia Prevention, Brain Health, Aging

October 22, 2025

Does Sleep Duration in Midlife Affect Dementia Risk Decades Later?

Yes, and the connection is stronger than most people realize. This groundbreaking 25-year study of nearly 8,000 adults found that sleeping 6 hours or less per night during midlife increases dementia risk by 30% compared to sleeping 7 hours. The protective effect of adequate sleep appears to compound over decades, making your sleep habits in your 50s and 60s crucial for brain health in your 70s and 80s.