Plasma glucose, insulin, and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations were measured from 0800 to 1600 hours in 40 nondiabetic individuals, separated into younger (38 +/- 1.4 years) and older (64 +/- 1.5 years) age groups. Meals were served at 0800 (20% total daily calories) and 1200 h (40% of total daily calories), and blood drawn just before the 0800 hours meal and at hourly intervals thereafter until 1600 hours. Statistical evaluation of the results of these measurements indicated that day-long plasma glucose and insulin levels were higher in the older individuals. In contrast, the day-long FFA response was reduced in this age group. These data suggest that the ability of insulin to maintain normal plasma glucose levels deteriorates with age, whereas regulation of FFA levels does not.