Researchers have discovered that humans age at the molecular level in two faster bursts, one around age 44 and the other at age 60.
Scientists from Stanford University and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore tracked 108 people for several years to look for aging changes in their molecules, including RNA, proteins, and microbiomes, in a study that was published in the journal Nature Aging.
The researchers discovered that aging in humans is not a linear, gradual process. Instead, at 44 and 60 years old, most of the molecules they examined displayed rapid, non-linear alterations.
The study’s first author, Xiaotao Shen, an assistant professor of microbiome medicine at Nanyang Technological University, stated that the findings demonstrate that “we are not becoming old gradually.” He went on to say that certain moments in time are especially crucial to our aging and health.
For instance, the body’s capacity to metabolize caffeine significantly declines, first around 40 and then again around 60.According to Michael Snyder, the chair of Stanford’s genetics department and study author, a loss in components involved in metabolizing alcohol is indicative of the two waves of aging and is particularly apparent around the age of 40. Snyder said.
The study’s first author, Xiaotao Shen, an assistant professor of microbiome medicine at Nanyang Technological University, stated that the findings demonstrate that “we are not becoming old gradually.” He went on to say that certain moments in time are especially crucial to our aging and health.
For instance, the body’s capacity to metabolize caffeine significantly declines, first around 40 and then again around 60. According to Michael Snyder, chair of Stanford’s genetics department and study author, the components involved in metabolizing alcohol also decrease with age, especially around the age of 40. This is in reference to the two waves of aging.
Close-up of a man drinking whiskey by himself while sitting at a bar counter, holding a glass of alcohol on a wooden table at home. Problem with alcoholic beverages concept
Anecdotally, Snyder continued, “People often get muscle injuries and see their fat accumulation hit in their 40s (related to lipid metabolism), and definitely sarcopenia (muscle loss) hits people in their 60s—this is a very big deal.”
He said that alterations in the proteins that hold tissues together were seen in both age groups, which probably explains the changes in the skin, muscles, and cardiovascular system.
Additionally, the risk of disease increases more quickly, especially after the age of 60. According to the study, those 60 years of age and older have an increased risk of type 2 diabetes, kidney problems, and cardiovascular illnesses.
As per the study, identifying patterns such as these can aid in the diagnosis and prevention of diseases. It further claimed to have discovered “clinically actionable markers” that can be employed to enhance health-care administration and the welfare of elderly people.
Participants in the study ranged in age from 25 to 75 for an average of about two years. Every participant was healthy, from a variety of ethnic origins, and resided in California. Every three to six months, samples of their blood, feces, skin, and nasal and mouth swabs were collected.
The menopause, which usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55, may have contributed to women’s faster aging, so the researchers ran their analysis on datasets that were specific to men and women. They were surprised to see that the results were identical, indicating that there may be a changeover point around 55 for both sexes.
Due to the small age range of the trial’s cohort, researchers from Germany and the US were unable to corroborate findings from a prior study that suggested there is another “wave” of aging that begins at 75.
Regarding what you should learn from their findings, the researchers suggest that as you approach these critical years in your life—your 40s and 60s—you should alter your lifestyle by doing things like drinking less alcohol and exercising more.
For better kidney function, Snyder advised those who were getting close to 60 to limit their diet of carbohydrates and drink lots of water.
Shen was instructed to “Take care of yourself more closely at specific time points during your life span,”