These two spikes typically occur around age 44 and again at age 60. In the study, 108 participants aged 25 to 75 gave blood and biological samples over several years. The researchers analyzed more than 135,000 molecules and microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and fungi), finding that most of them did not change in a "gradual, chronological manner."
"It turns out that the mid-1940s was a time of dramatic change, as was the early 1960s. And this is true regardless of the class of molecules we are looking at," the study said.
The findings were published in the journal Nature Aging last month. Dr. Brittany Ferry, an occupational therapist with the National Council on Aging in New York, agrees that aging doesn't always proceed steadily.
"Big changes can occur at certain times in your life. People tend to experience changes that will affect their health in the future," Ferry told Fox News Digital.
According to Ferry, in their 40s, people will likely face more stress or make lifestyle changes that could affect their well-being, and by their 60s, age-related changes will affect their organs and immune system.
"As ageing occurs in different stages, certain phases will lead to noticeable changes in the functioning of the body," she added.
Link between ageing and health
These "abrupt changes" can affect people's health as they age, the study foundl.
"In the 40s and 60s, key molecules and microbes associated with heart and immune system health change significantly. In your 40s, changes in molecules that affect the way your body processes fat and alcohol can increase your risk of heart disease if not managed well. In your 60s, changes in your immune system can make you more prone to age-related health problems," Ferry said after looking at the results.
The researchers noted that they were not surprised by the change in the early 1960s, as that is when age-related diseases and conditions typically occur.
However, the spike in the mid-40s was not expected. Although they initially thought this change was due to menopause or perimenopause in women, they realized that it was also occurring in men at this age.
"This suggests that while menopause or perimenopause contribute to the changes seen in women in their mid-40s, there are likely other, more significant factors that influence these changes in both men and women," says first author Xiaotao Shen, MD, former Stanford postdoctoral fellow in medicine.
"Identifying and studying these factors should be a priority for future research," she added.
The main limitation is that these changes may be caused by lifestyle or behavioral factors that typically occur in the 40s and 60s, Snyder acknowledged.
Going forward, the team plans to conduct further research on these aging spurts.
They also stress the importance of healthy behaviors to counteract these changes.
"This may look like increasing exercise to protect the heart and maintain muscle mass at both ages, or reducing alcohol consumption in the 40s as the ability to metabolize alcohol slows," the researchers write.
Snyder added, "I'm a big believer that we should try to adjust our lifestyle while we're still healthy."
For people in their 40s, it's important to eat healthy, manage stress and cut back on alcohol to help support changes in metabolism and heart health, according to Ferry. | BGNES
