Why it's harder to burn fat with age, and how scientists plan to fix it

Ageing slows our body's natural calorie burners, but a new study shows how reactivating beige fat could help tackle weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease

Why does losing weight feel harder as we get older? Scientists at Cornell University may have found the answer—and a potential way to reverse it.

 

According to a new study titled Age-dependent Pdgfrβ signaling drives adipocyte progenitor dysfunction to alter the beige adipogenic niche in male mice, published in Nature Communications, researchers have discovered that ageing triggers a molecular switch that blocks the body’s ability to make fat-burning “beige fat”.

 

Unlike ordinary white fat that stores calories, beige fat burns energy like brown fat, helping to regulate blood sugar and protect against heart disease.

 

By targeting the molecular switch, the researchers were able to restore beige fat activity in older mice, raising hope for future treatments to fight obesity and age-related metabolic disease.  ALSO READ | Can lemon water burn fat? Experts bust 15 weight loss myths you believe

 

Why does beige fat decline with age, and how can it be restored?

 

The study led by Cornell University found that with age, special stem-like cells called adipocyte progenitor cells (APCs) stop producing beige fat. This happens because these cells start overproducing a receptor called Pdgfrβ. When this signalling goes into overdrive, it blocks the immune signals needed to convert white fat into calorie-burning beige fat.

 

According to the study, when researchers genetically deleted Pdgfrβ in older mice, beige fat activity returned.

What could this mean for humans?

 

While the study was conducted in male mice, the findings align with what scientists observe in humans: our ability to generate beige fat declines sharply after our mid-30s.

 

If similar mechanisms are confirmed in people, drugs that block Pdgfrβ signalling could one day help older adults fight weight gain, diabetes, and heart disease—without the need for extreme cold exposure.

 

The research is still at an early stage, but by targeting age-related molecular roadblocks, scientists may be able to make weight control easier as we age and also help protect against diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and chronic inflammation.

Since you're already here

…and clearly interested in your health, take a moment to explore our varied range of stories on wellness, medical research, and public health insights.

• Men's grooming essentials  Adult acne, dull skin, hair loss: Skincare tips every man should know
• What a heart doctor won’t eat  10 foods a cardiologist avoids after 20 years treating heart disease
• Early cataracts and screen stress  Cataracts in 30s and 40s? How screen time and stress may be clouding vision
• Eat to prevent cardiac arrest  Heart-smart eating: Diet tips to lower risk of sudden cardiac arrest
• Everyday foods linked to cancer  Doctor warns against these 6 everyday foods that may raise cancer risk
• Fitness trends under the microscope  Are these popular Instagram fitness trends actually helpful or just hype?
• Back pain? Walk it off  Want to avoid chronic back pain? Walk over 100 minutes a day, says study
• Hidden heart hazards at work  Why your office coffee cup and lunch box may raise heart disease risks
• How to be heard at work  Speak up at work: What to do when you're feeling ignored and invisible
• Beyond sobriety: Addiction recovery  Why recovery from addiction needs more than just quitting substances

For more health updates, follow #HealthWithBS 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.