According to a recent study, aging is not so linear. Two big old blows suddenly hit the body at certain ages.
Getting old can be scary, but it is a logical consequence of the evolution of the human body. However, we sometimes have the feeling of “getting old” suddenly. And it would not be just an impression, according to a recent study published in Nature Aging. “We don’t just change gradually over time, there are really dramatic changes” at certain points in life, says Michael Snyder, a geneticist and lead author of the study. Aging, then, is not linear.
The researchers looked at the biology of aging and therefore the changes that occur. To do this, they followed a group of 108 adults, aged 25 to 75, providing biological samples several times a year for several years. They studied in particular several molecules such as RNA, proteins and lipids.
It was then that they distinguished very clear changes in many molecules at two very distinct stages. 81% of the molecules studied were changing at one or both of these stages. These changes were observed in both men and women.
So there are two ages when the body changes rapidly. The first peak occurs in the mid-forties, around 44 years old on average. The changes observed at this age by the scientists were particularly linked to lipid metabolism. This could explain why, around this age, the digestion of caffeine and alcohol becomes more complicated. The proteins in adipose tissue, which stores the body’s reserves, also undergo changes, which can trigger sudden weight gain around this age. It also showed dysfunctions in the skin and muscles, which can be reflected in the appearance of wrinkles and sagging skin.
The second peak appears in the sixties, being associated with changes in carbohydrate metabolism. If the various previous dysfunctions were found, changes in immune regulation and renal function were also observed this time. This could explain the increased vulnerability to infections and the higher risk of cardiovascular diseases and even cancer.
Scientists say it’s important to do more research on a broader population to better understand how the human body changes over time and to better understand some of the adverse effects of aging. Snyder adds that “lifestyle or behavior that is concentrated in these age groups” may also play a role.