'4jung6cho' Ages Rapidly... 40s Blame Alcohol vs 60s Blame This

Rapid Progression in Mid-40s to Early 60s
Alcohol-Related in 40s, Carbohydrates in 60s

A new study has found that human aging progresses rapidly twice, at ages 44 and 60.

The British media outlet The Guardian reported on June 14 (local time) about aging research results released by a team from Stanford University in the United States. This study analyzed and tracked the aging process by regularly collecting samples from blood, stool, skin, oral cavity, and nose swabs from 108 participants aged 25 to 75 over a period of 1 to 7 years.

The researchers analyzed a total of 135,000 diverse molecules (RNA, proteins, metabolites) and microorganisms (bacterial viruses, fungi, etc. collected from participants' gut and skin) to reveal the progression of aging.

Aging [Image source=Pixabay]

The study found that the amounts of molecules or microorganisms detected in participants' samples did not change gradually. In other words, human aging does not progress slowly over time. Instead, there were tendencies for significant changes in molecules and microorganisms once each in the mid-40s and early 60s.

So why does aging progress once in the mid-40s? Initially, the researchers assumed that changes before and after menopause in women might have skewed the overall group results, but detailed analysis showed that men also experienced similar changes in their mid-40s. Notably, changes occurred in molecules related to cardiovascular diseases and metabolism of caffeine, alcohol, and fats during the mid-40s.

Foods containing alcohol and bad carbohydrates have harmful effects on the body regardless of age.

Meanwhile, changes appearing in the early 60s involved immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function. Molecules related to skin and muscle aging showed changes during both periods.

Previous aging-related studies suggested that aging accelerates rapidly around age 78, but this could not be confirmed in the current study since the oldest participant was 75 years old.

Michael Snyder, a genetics professor at Stanford University who led the research, explained, "We experience several dramatic changes rather than gradual changes over time," adding, "The mid-40s and early 60s are periods of dramatic change." He further advised, "We need to change our lifestyle while we are still healthy."