Constant feelings of hunger in the evenings and at nights in people over 50 may be related not only to eating habits but also to serious changes in the body. This was reported by gastroenterologist Maria Zhukovskaya.
“I would like to lose weight, but I always feel hungry” — this complaint is often heard by doctors from people over 50. Why is there no craving for fatty and sweet foods during the day, but at night the appetite becomes simply ferocious, explained the doctor.
As people age, energy expenditure decreases, and less food is needed to replenish it. However, the opposite situation can also occur, where people over 50 experience increased appetite. A feeling of hunger that arises in the evening or at night should be a cause for concern, warns gastroenterologist Maria Zhukovskaya. But what does this mean? There are at least five reasons.
Which hormones are to blame
“An increase in appetite in the late hours may be related to hormonal imbalance. In mature individuals, the level of melatonin decreases. This is a natural process, but it negatively affects sleep quality,” explains the doctor. “Insomnia at night often leads to a desire to snack.”
With age, metabolic processes slow down, which can lead to a deficiency of hormones such as serotonin and leptin.
“A deficiency of the former provokes a depressed mood and a desire to improve it with food. With low levels of leptin, feelings of hunger can arise even after a recent meal,” says Maria Zhukovskaya.
A sign of type 2 diabetes
Night eating syndrome is a common sign of type 2 diabetes, which is often diagnosed in people over 50.
“The feeling of hunger with high blood glucose is associated with a lack of insulin or insulin resistance, when cells are starving despite the abundance of glucose in the blood. Hunger occurs not only during the day but also at night, considering sleep problems in mature age,” continues the gastroenterologist.
Thyroid issues
Thyroid diseases are another reason for evening and nighttime appetite.
“For instance, in hyperthyroidism, hormone levels increase, leading to accelerated metabolism. As a result, a person feels hungry all the time, not feeling full even at night,” explains the doctor.
A sign of Alzheimer’s disease
Frequent feelings of hunger, including in the evening and at night, can be one of the signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Damage to certain areas of the brain blocks the feeling of fullness, prompting a person to eat outside of regular meal times.
Eating away loneliness
Sometimes the reason for nighttime snacking is increased anxiety.
“Food becomes the only accessible source of endorphins. This is how people find relief from loneliness,” says Maria Zhukovskaya.
What to do
Minimizing feelings of hunger at night can be helped by maintaining a daytime eating schedule. It is necessary to eat in small portions five times a day.
“Noticing a desire to eat late in the evening or at night in yourself or elderly relatives, it is important to identify the cause and adjust the condition together with a doctor,” recommends the doctor.
Doctors advise not to ignore constant nighttime hunger after 50, especially if it is accompanied by insomnia, weight gain, or deterioration in well-being. Specialists recommend maintaining a regular eating schedule and consulting a doctor if necessary to timely identify possible health issues.
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