Scientists Discover that People Really Age Twice in Their Lives

Scientists have identified two periods in a person's life when the molecules of the human body change dramatically and the aging process accelerates.

This is reported by The Washington Post with reference to an article in the scientific journal Nature Aging.

Scientists from Stanford University (California, USA) have concluded that aging is not a gradual process, but two ‘leaps’ that occur at a certain period of life - when a person turns 44 and 60.

‘Obviously, you change throughout your life. But there are two main periods when a lot of changes occur: one is when people are around 45 and the other is when they are around 60,’ said Michael Snyder, a geneticist at Stanford University.

The study involved more than 100 healthy people of different ethnic backgrounds aged 25 to 75. They had swabs taken from their mouths, noses and skin, as well as blood and faecal samples. The participants were followed for about two years.

Scientists analysed about 135,000 different molecules and microbes associated with the cardiovascular and immune systems, metabolism, skin and muscles.

The analysis showed that 81% of the molecules changed quantitatively in people in their 40s and 60s.

Scientists found changes that were the same for both groups. They were associated with cardiovascular disease, caffeine metabolism, skin and muscle condition.

At the same time, some differences were found. For example, in participants who were about 40 years old, noticeable changes were observed in molecules related to the metabolism of alcohol and lipids (or fats). In those over 60, the changes were in molecules related to immune regulation, kidney function, and carbohydrate metabolism.

Michael Snyder noted that the changes found at the age of 60 are not surprising, as many age-related diseases begin to manifest themselves in this period.

Instead, the changes in 40-year-olds initially surprised the research team. Scientists rejected the possibility that they could be explained by the onset of menopause or perimenopause (the stage before menopause when menstruation is still present but becomes irregular - ed.

Despite this, researchers have not yet found out why the molecules in our bodies change. Instead, they emphasise that middle-aged people should pay special attention to their health.

‘For example, if you know that your carbohydrate metabolism is disturbed, you can help by changing your diet and switching to a healthy diet,’ Snyder said.

According to the scientists, focusing on molecular changes can ‘give the key’ to understanding why age-related diseases occur. However, they note that it is too early to say how these changes are related to ageing.

‘As people age, molecules in the body change. However, we do not yet know what causes them. The results of the study prove that this is influenced by a person's lifestyle. Therefore, after the age of 40, scientists advise to pay attention to your diet and exercise, because at this age, the body begins to change,’ explained Xiaotao Shen, a computational biologist at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

However, longer studies with more participants are needed to better understand how molecular changes affect the functioning of various body systems, morbidity and mortality. In addition, it is necessary to find out what causes them.