A study that was published in through Stanford University and published in the journal Nature Aging shows that, at the molecular level, “human aging does not happen in a gradual, linear way.” Instead, aging takes place in two accelerated bursts — first at age 44, and then again at age 60.
Michael Snyder, chair of the department of genetics at Stanford and the author of the study reported to CNN about the two waves of aging. “People often get muscle injuries and see their fat accumulation it in their 40s, and definitely sarcopenia (muscle loss) hit people in their 60s — this is a very big deal.” Disease risks also rise faster at these two junctures, especially after age 60 when people become more susceptible to cardiovascular disease, kidney issues and type 2 diabetes. As an example of how the body changes, the study showed that the ability to metabolize substances such as caffeine notably decreases first around age 40 and once again around age 60.
The study followed 108 participants from diverse ethnic backgrounds over several years to observe molecular aging (RNA, proteins and microbiomes). The researchers analyzed male and female datasets separately because of the idea that female changes could be attributed to menopause. However, the results were similar for both sexes. A similar study out of Germany found that there is another wave of aging around age 75.
Study takeaways: Make lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol, eating a healthier diet, and exercising more when nearing these pivotal years. Snyder advised people approaching their 60s to watch their carb intake and to drink plenty of water to aid kidney function.
You can read the full CNN article at this link: https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/20/health/dramatic-human-aging-scli-intl-wellness/index.html.
