Research suggests that aging doesn’t progress at a steady rate but rather involves at least two distinct periods of rapid change: one in your mid-forties and another in your sixties.
“We’re not just changing gradually over time; there are significant shifts,” said Michael Snyder, a professor of genetics at Stanford University. “The mid-forties and early sixties are particularly notable for dramatic changes.”
Snyder and his team studied thousands of different molecules, including those related to skin aging, alcohol processing, and inflammation, from 108 participants aged 25 to 75. The study involved regular blood, stool, skin, oral, and nasal samples over up to seven years.
The researchers analysed various biomarkers, including RNA (which carries genetic instructions), proteins, and metabolites (substances involved in breaking down food and chemicals). They also examined participants’ microbiomes—bacteria, viruses, and fungi living in and on the body.
They found that both molecular composition and microbiome underwent significant changes at two key stages: around age 44 and again at 60. The first wave of changes affected cardiovascular markers and the metabolism of caffeine, alcohol, and fats, while the second wave involved substances related to immune function, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney health.
The pronounced changes in the mid-forties were unexpected. Initially, the researchers thought menopause might be driving the shifts in women, but similar changes were observed in men as well. Snyder suggested that some of these changes might be linked to lifestyle factors. These findings could offer valuable insights for self-care. For example, reducing alcohol consumption in your forties might be beneficial as your body’s ability to metabolise it declines. “It’s important to adapt our lifestyles while we’re still healthy,” Snyder advised.
