Our bodies age in rapid bursts when we hit our mid-40s and early 60s, new study shows

So much for the idea of aging gracefully – or gradually. New research suggests the body ages in bursts, in particular, rapid changes about age 44 and another when we hit 60.

We consider aging as a constant process, but our bodies may actually age in a nonlinear fashion, with certain types of molecules in our body increasing or decreasing dramatically when people hit the mid-40s and again in the early 60s, according to research published Aug. 14 in the journal Nature Aging.

“We’re not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes,” said senior author Michael Snyder, a professor of genetics at the Stanford University School of Medicine, in a description of the research on the university site. “It turns out the mid-40s is a time of dramatic change, as is the early 60s. And that’s true no matter what class of molecules you look at.”

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What did new aging research find?

Researchers studied data from 108 study participants who donated blood and other samples every few months over several years. They analyzed age-related changes in more than 135,000 molecules, proteins and microbes.

The findings: Thousands of these molecules and microorganisms – about 81% of those analyzed – increased or decreased more at certain ages. Researchers found molecules with the largest changes happened the most when people were in their mid-40s and their early 60s.

Finding the changes in the early 60s was not that surprising, because increased risks of diseases occur at that time, Snyder said. But the changes in the mid-40s happening equally in women and men was surprising.

“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 Xiaotao Shen, first author on the study and a former Stanford Medicine postdoctoral scholar, now an assistant professor at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, in the research summation.

"Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research,” Shen said.

Specific findings by age group:

• Mid-40s: "Significant changes" were found in the amount of molecules related to cardiovascular disease, skin and muscle, and alcohol, caffeine and lipid metabolism.
• The 60s: Changes found at this age were related to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle.

What advice do experts have based on this new aging research?

For those reaching the age when the aging "bursts" occur, those in their mid-40s and early 60s should "keep your exercise up to improve your muscle," Snyder told Paste BN in an email conversation.

"In the 40s, watch and control your lipids to prevent atherosclerosis and maybe improve your fat deposition," he said.

As for increased alcohol metabolism, researchers haven't identified a cause and effect link to the changes and health implications, but an increase in alcohol consumption in people’s mid-40s could be the culprit, Snyder said.

As folks approach their 60s, exercise remains important for muscle improvement and "is likely to improve the cardiovascular disease markers that we see change at both times." he said.

Also, those hitting their 60s should watch carbohydrate intake and drink lots of water "to keep your kidney function up," Snyder said.

The research team plans to continue its work on the biology of aging with hopes of improving guidance for people.

“I’m a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we’re still healthy,” Snyder said.

Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.

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