Why ageing changes our bodies response to medicines and how technology can help
- Carson Sander
- May 14
- 2 min read
As we age, our bodies undergo complex changes that influence how medicines are absorbed, distributed and eliminated. At PhantomOmics, understanding this physiological response is vital, not just for pharmacology, but for harnessing bioimpedance, thermography and other non-invasive diagnostics to spot emerging health risks earlier.
Ageing affects medicine response through the body
Research has shown that ageing impacts the pharmacokinetics (how the body processes drugs) and pharmacodynamics (how drugs affect the body) in several ways:
Absorption: Changes in gut motility, stomach acid and blood flow can reduce the absorption of certain drugs or alter their effects.
Distribution: Increased body fat and reduced water content change how drugs spread throughout the body. Lipid-soluble drugs may linger longer, while water-soluble drugs can reach higher concentrations.
Metabolism: The liver’s reduced volume and blood flow, along with decreased enzyme activity, slow the breakdown of many medicines.
Excretion: Kidney function often declines with age, making it harder to clear drugs from the system and increasing the risk of toxicity.
The role of frailty and cognitive decline
Ageing isn’t just about the organs. Frailty, a recognised medical condition, can slow drug clearance even further. Conditions like dementia also increase blood–brain barrier permeability, making older adults more susceptible to neurological side effects from medications.
These changes aren’t always predictable, which is why personalisation in monitoring becomes essential.
Why this matters for PhantomOmics' technology
These biological shifts underline the importance of early, non-invasive health insights. Our tools offer a window into:
Circulatory changes: Subtle shifts in skin temperature can reflect changes in blood flow and metabolism, both of which are influenced by ageing and medication effects.
Tissue composition: Bioimpedance can detect changes in body fat and muscle mass, providing context for how drugs might behave in an individual’s body.
Inflammation and stress: Chronic, low-level inflammation, a hallmark of ageing, can affect liver enzymes and drug metabolism. Our tools can help track inflammatory responses over time.
Looking ahead: technology that adapts to the ageing body
As the world’s population ages, technologies like ours will be essential to support precision medicine and proactive care. By detecting physiological changes early, we can help healthcare providers tailor treatments and lifestyle advice that reduce risks and improve outcomes.
