December 2024
SCIENTISTS FIND THAT AGING COMES IN 'WAVES' AT 44 AND 60
The changes tied to getting older may not be as gradual and linear as we thought.
The oldest millennials have entered their 40’s and are noticing the effects of aging. It might not be in their heads. A growing body of research indicates the aging process might resemble rolling hills more than a slow and steady climb. Age-related changes (slowing metabolism, wrinkling skin) pile up over time but may crescendo at specific points in your life. Scientists describe “waves” of aging, where major biomolecular shifts happened in the body around ages 44 and 60. Researchers found that people in their mid-40’s, for example, had meaningful changes in biological markers and pathways related to their abilities to metabolize alcohol and fats. These types of changes can lead to gradual weight gain or greater sensitivity to that nightly glass of wine. People assume everybody is gradually aging. It turns out that most changes are not linear. It is possible that paying special attention to healthy exercise and eating habits ahead of these waves could help lessen their blows, researchers say. In addition, people age differently, so no one number will be representative of how old or young anyone feels.
Data from repeated collections of blood and stool samples and oral, skin, and nasal swabs for healthy people between the ages of 25 and 75 were analyzed. Changes were tracked for more than 100,000 molecules and microbes, from protein and RNA to standard lipid measures such as HDL and LDL over roughly two years and compared results between older and younger people. Increases or decreases in these markers, some of which were linked to age-related diseases and body changes, created the waves: 81% of the observed molecules changed in at least one wave. It is unclear exactly what is causing these biomolecular shifts, and it is possible that people’s behavior and other variables could have affected the results. In a related index, other studies identified non-linear patterns of aging. This study found major changes in levels of proteins in the blood at ages 34, 60 and 78. All studies looked at changes that happened around the first wave, and assumed they could be the result of perimenopause or menopause in women, but the found the same changes happening for men.
As for those hitting their 60’s, the group had significant shifts in molecules linked to carbohydrate metabolism, kidney function and immune regulation. These findings could offer clues as to why people become increasingly susceptible to illness as they age. The risk of developing chronic conditions such as cancer and heart disease increases with age. Among Americans 65 and older, nearly 88% have at least one chronic condition and about 64% have at least two chronic conditions. Both age groups, in their 40’s and 60’s, had fluctuations in markers related to skin and muscle aging, highlighting the importance of keeping up with strength training with age, as well as markers related to heart disease, skin and muscle, and caffeine metabolism. People often become more sensitive to caffeine as they get older.
Certain lifestyle changes or medications might influence the levels of these age-related markers. Doubling down on sleep and exercise habits as well as wearing a sleep and exercise tracker is one way to spot any changes or trends in some of the markers that can be measured. Of course, to get a true picture of the aging process, scientists must track people for decades. These types of studies likely align very well with the experiences we have ourselves, or have heard from others who perceive a sudden decline in physiological fitness. Track your health and well-being biomarkers and see what you find.
Alex Janin