There are two major life moments that, according to scientists, are associated with rapid aging—and one of these events might happen sooner than you think.
The rate of aging in the human body is not continuous or linear, which may come as a surprise to you.
Instead, a new study published in the popular Nature journal found that it surges at specific ages.
On August 14, a report titled ‘Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human ageing’ became available to view.
Researchers published their findings after 1.7 years of examining over 11,000 chemicals in adult bodies.
The researchers from Stanford University who worked on the report were able to get these measurements by monitoring chemicals in the skin, blood, and feces of 108 different study participants.
It is known that molecules were also monitored in nasal and oral swabs in order to evaluate the time-dependent changes in variables like blood sugar and blood pressure.
The article states that out of over 135,000 distinct chemicals and microorganisms, researchers found that the pair shifted more frequently in two distinct age groups.
Geneticist and director of Stanford University’s Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine Professor Michael Snyder made the following comment regarding the paper: “We’re not just changing gradually over time.” Some changes are extremely remarkable.
No matter what kind of molecules you examine, the mid-40s and early 60s are a period of tremendous change.
“I’m a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we’re still healthy.”
As per the study, 81 percent of the California cohort – aged 25 to 75 – underwent dramatic changes at two different ages – 44 and 60.
There was a decrease in the participants’ capacity to metabolize caffeine, and many of the characteristics that changed between these ages were associated with cardiovascular health.
A protein associated with atherosclerosis, a buildup of lipids and cholesterol on the arterial walls, was also more frequently detected in the 44- and 60-year-olds, and their blood sugar levels were elevated.
One specialist thinks there are ‘likely other’ causes behind the change, even though the ageing surge around 44 normally coincides with the start of perimenopause for some women.
The study’s first author, Dr. Xiaotao Shen, a former postdoctoral scholar at Stanford Medical School, declared: “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.”
Scientists are hoping that the results of the recently released studies may aid in the targeting of treatments for health problems like coronary artery disease and muscle retention loss.
If you’re interested in learning more about the ageing spike and when it’s likely to affect you, you can find the study here.