We age in spurts - Study

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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 non-linear 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 the study's 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.”

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 different 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.

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 USA TODAY 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 uptick 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.