Why the body begins to tolerate cold worse with age

Why the body begins to tolerate cold worse with age

As people age, many notice that they begin to tolerate cold worse. This phenomenon has many biological and physiological reasons that relate to changes in the functioning of the body, in particular in the thermoregulation and circulatory systems. To understand why this happens, it is necessary to consider a number of factors that affect the body's ability to adapt to low temperatures.

One of the main reasons why older people feel cold more strongly is a decrease in metabolic rate with age. As we age, the metabolic rate slows down, which leads to less heat production. This is due to a decrease in the amount of muscle mass, since muscles are actively involved in heat production during physical activity. Therefore, a decrease in muscle tissue directly reduces the body's ability to warm up.

The function of blood vessels also changes with age. In older people, blood vessels become less elastic, and their ability to dilate and constrict decreases. This means that blood circulation is not as effective at delivering heat to the extremities and skin. As a result, heat loss occurs more quickly, which is especially noticeable in cold weather.

Another factor is the decline in the activity of the nervous system. With age, the nerve receptors responsible for the perception of temperature become less sensitive. This can lead to the body not reacting as quickly to cold and not activating the appropriate mechanisms to preserve heat. In addition, the decrease in the amount of adipose tissue in the body of older people also affects thermoregulation, since fat is a natural insulator that helps to retain heat.

We cannot fail to mention the decrease in hormonal activity, in particular, the level of thyroid hormones. These hormones are responsible for regulating metabolism and heat production in the body. Over time, thyroid function can decrease, which contributes to a decrease in the effectiveness of thermoregulation. Elderly people also often suffer from hypothyroidism, which can increase the feeling of cold.

An important factor is that physical activity often decreases over the years. Older people may spend more time sitting or lying down, which limits their ability to maintain a normal body temperature. Less activity reduces blood circulation and heat transfer, which impairs cold tolerance. Finally, as we age, our bodies become less able to effectively fight cold due to a decrease in metabolism, changes in blood vessel structure, decreased sensitivity of nerve receptors, decreased fat tissue, and hormonal changes. All of these factors combine to make older people feel cold much more intensely than younger people.