Mini Mikkipedia - Menopause, Metabolism, and the Truth About Slowdown
From Mikkipedia by Mikki Williden
April 5, 2026 · 27 min · Episode 455
About this episode
Mikki Williden discusses the complexities of menopause and its effects on metabolism, challenging common narratives and emphasizing the importance of foundational health habits.
In this Mini Mikkipedia episode, Mikki breaks down a newly published narrative review examining whether menopause truly slows metabolism. While the common narrative suggests an inevitable metabolic decline, the reality is far more nuanced. Mikki walks through the evidence on resting metabolic rate, fat oxidation, physical activity, and sleep—highlighting where menopause may play a role and where age, muscle mass, and behaviour are more influential. She also unpacks a key overlooked factor: sleep disruption, and its downstream effects on fat oxidation and energy balance. Importantly, this episode challenges the idea that menopause overrides energy balance, instead reinforcing that foundational habits—muscle maintenance, movement, protein intake, and sleep—remain the primary drivers of metabolic health. A grounded, evidence-based take for women navigating midlife changes. Key Highlights: Why resting metabolic rate changes are inconsistent—and often linked to muscle mass, not menopause The role of reduced fat oxidation and what it actually means for fat gain How sleep disruption (and progesterone) may influence metabolism Declines in physical activity: hormonal vs behavioural…
People in this episode
Host: Mikki Williden
Topics covered
- menopause
- metabolism
- resting metabolic rate
- fat oxidation
- sleep disruption
- energy balance
- midlife changes
Keywords
- menopause
- metabolism
- resting metabolic rate
- fat oxidation
- sleep disruption
- energy balance
- muscle maintenance
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: PubMed
Books & works: Mini Mikkipedia - Menopause, Metabolism, and the Truth About Slowdown
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