As you age, muscle mass tends to decrease while fat mass increases. Since muscle burns more calories than fat, a decrease in muscle mass can lead to a slower metabolism.
Lack of physical activity leads to fewer calories being burned. Regular exercise, especially strength training, helps maintain muscle mass and boost metabolism.
Inadequate or poor-quality sleep can disrupt hormonal balance, leading to decreased metabolic rate and increased appetite.
Protein helps build and maintain muscle mass. Low protein intake can result in muscle loss, which can slow down your metabolism.
High levels of stress can lead to hormonal imbalances, particularly increased cortisol levels, which can negatively affect metabolism and promote fat storage.
An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can slow down your metabolic rate. Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, so imbalances can affect how efficiently your body burns calories.
Water is essential for various metabolic processes. Dehydration can impair metabolic function and reduce the efficiency of calorie burning.