Aging has traditionally been seen as a gradual decline in health, but recent research paints a more intricate picture. According to a study published Wednesday in Nature Aging by researchers at Stanford Medicine, aging involves significant surges at critical stages of life, particularly during the 40s and 60s, driven by dramatic shifts in our molecules and microorganisms.
The researchers examined how biomarkers—molecules such as RNA and proteins that indicate biological changes—shift across distinct five-year intervals in people aged 25 to 75 and beyond. Unlike standard medical evaluations, which might include only 15 to 20 measurements, the researchers conducted “tens of thousands of measurements.” Their findings revealed that biomarkers undergo the most dramatic changes during two key periods in our lives: the mid-40s and early 60s.
These changes were notably related to cardiovascular disease and other health concerns. Michael Snyder, Ph.D., chair of genetics and the study’s senior author, emphasized the importance of acknowledging these changes as they can lead to actionable steps for improvement. Understanding these specific periods of change could help in developing targeted interventions, Snyder told The Epoch Times.
Key Periods of Change Identified
In their investigation, the researchers followed thousands of molecules and microbes. About 81% of the molecules exhibited significant nonlinear changes, meaning they changed more at specific ages than others. Only around 7% changed at a constant rate as participants aged.
The study tracked participants over periods ranging from two to seven years. Previous findings from this same group of volunteers showed that people’s kidneys, livers, metabolisms, and immune systems age at different rates.
The researchers analyzed 5,405 samples from 108 participants, encompassing more than 135,000 biological features, including gene activity, proteins, metabolites, and microbiomes. This resulted in nearly 250 billion distinct data points.
When the researchers focused on clusters of molecules showing the most significant changes, they identified two critical periods: the mid-40s and early 60s, during which these transformations were most pronounced.
What Happens Around Age 40?
- Changes in molecules indicated reduced efficiency in metabolizing alcohol, caffeine, and fat.
- The risk of cardiovascular diseases increased as platelets and proteins involved in blood clotting became impaired.
- Skin cells and proteins became dysregulated, potentially affecting skin structure and elasticity.
What Happens Around Age 60?
- Molecular changes indicated further reduced efficiency in metabolizing caffeine and essential fatty acids. Unsaturated fat production also decreased.
- Glucose metabolism was affected, suggesting elevated insulin resistance.
- Kidney function declined, as shown by higher blood urea nitrogen levels, indicating that kidneys are becoming less effective at filtering waste from the body.
- Cardiac issues increased due to a rise in plasma levels of phenylalanine, an essential amino acid associated with heart problems.
- Higher levels of cytokines, proteins that regulate the immune system, showed that the immune system weakens.
For those in their 60s, monitoring kidney function and increasing water intake could be beneficial, Snyder suggested. Similarly, individuals in their 40s should heed changes in lipid metabolism and consider cutting back on fatty meals. Snyder highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing biological changes to manage health effectively as we age.
Overall, people in both age groups should consider exercising more to support heart health and preserve muscle mass. In one’s 40s, it’s also advisable to reduce alcohol consumption since the body doesn’t metabolize it as efficiently, added Snyder.
Surprising Findings
The significant changes seen in people’s mid-40s surprised Snyder and his team. “I don’t know that I would have necessarily known that there’d be such a big period of change [in] people at their mid-40s,” said Snyder.
Initially, the researchers suspected that menopause or perimenopause might be causing these changes in women, affecting the overall results. However, when they analyzed the data separately for men and women, they found that men in their mid-40s experienced similar changes. “[In women, people might think] maybe it’s all due to women hitting menopause,” Snyder said. “But it turns out the same thing’s there, whether it’s male or female.”
“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes observed in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women,” said study first author Xiaotao Shen, Ph.D., in metabolomics and bioinformatics and a former Stanford Medicine postdoctoral scholar, in a press release. “Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research.”
Personalized Medicine and Lifestyle Choices
The research team plans to explore the drivers behind these clusters of change. These changes underscore the importance of paying attention to health, especially in the 40s and 60s, the researchers noted.
Snyder, who also authored the book Genomics and Personalized Medicine: What Everyone Needs to Know, said that the study is a step toward moving beyond generic advice like “exercise more” or “eat better” and creating personalized aging profiles that pinpoint exact health risks.
“By understanding these patterns… you can take action on it,” he added.