There are people who say they have noticed a sudden slump at a certain age, a feeling that the whole body deteriorates at onceNow, a new study finds a possible scientific explanation: many of our molecules and microorganisms increase or decrease dramatically around the ages of 40 and 60.
To reach their conclusions, the researchers evaluated thousands of different molecules in people aged 25 to 75, as well as their microbiomes. -bacteria, viruses and fungi that live inside the body and on the skin-and they discovered that their abundance – that of most – does not change gradually and chronologically.
Instead, people experience two periods of rapid change throughout their lives, on average around the ages of 44 and 60, according to scientists at Stanford University who published their study in the journal Nature Aging.
“We don’t just change gradually over time, but there are really dramatic changes. It turns out that the mid-40s are a time of dramatic change, just like the early 60s,” says Michael Snyder, who believes that this is likely to have an impact on health.
The number of molecules linked to cardiovascular disease showed significant changes at both time points, and those linked to immune function changed in people aged 60 years and older, according to a statement from Stanford Medicine.
Data from 108 people
Scientists used data from 108 people they followed to better understand the biology of agingAmong other things, they found four distinct ageotypes – patterns of ageing – which show that the kidneys, liver, metabolism and immune system age at different rates in each person.
They analyzed biological samples every few months over several years and tracked thousands of different molecules, including RNA, proteins and metabolitesas well as changes in the participants’ microbiomes.
The changes at 40 are surprising
The large number of changes in the mid-40s was somewhat “surprising.” At first, scientists assumed that menopause or perimenopause caused large changes in women, skewing the entire group, but when they split the study group by sex, they found that the change also occurred in men in their mid-40s.
“This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause may contribute to the changes seen in women in their 40s, there are likely other, more significant factors influencing these changes in both men and women. Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority,” says Xiaotao Shen, now at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.
In 40-year-olds, significant changes were observed in the number of r moleculesrelated to metabolism from alcohol, caffeine and lipids, cardiovascular diseases, and skin and muscles.
In those aged 60, changes were linked to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscles.
According to Snyder, some of these changes may be related to lifestyle or behavioral factors, rather than biological factors. in the mid-40s, a period of life that is often stressful, he says.
The team plans to study the causes of these changes. But whatever the reasons, the authors warn that it is necessary to pay attention to health, especially between the ages of 40 and 60. For example, by increasing exercise to protect the heart and maintain muscle mass or by reducing alcohol consumption at 40, since the ability to metabolize alcohol slows down.
(With information from EFE)
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