At what age do people age the fastest?
A new study from Stanford University Medicine has found that there are two periods in which people age rapidly.
"We don't just change gradually over time; there are periods when the change happens very dramatically," said Michael Snyder, a professor of genetics and lead author of the study. These rapid changes typically occur in the mid-40s and again in the 60s.
According to researchers, changes related to cardiovascular disease will directly affect both age groups. Meanwhile, weakened immunity will appear in people in their early 60s.
With 108 participants in the trial, the research team analyzed blood and other biological samples over several years. New samples were taken every few months to monitor changes in the microbiome.
The results, which showed the most significant changes in people between their 40s and early 60s, surprised the researchers. Initially, they hypothesized that menopause or perimenopause was the cause of these changes in women, but later discovered that the changes also occurred in men. "This suggests that other, more important factors influence these changes in both men and women, such as stress, alcohol consumption, and smoking," said Dr. Xiaotao Shen, a member of the research team.
Scientists believe that molecular changes are the reason people need to pay more attention to their health, especially in their mid-40s. This includes lifestyle changes, more exercise to improve cardiovascular health, and maintaining a healthy weight. Limiting alcohol consumption is particularly important because the body's metabolism slows down at this age.
