If you’ve ever felt like your entire body is breaking down simultaneously, it might not just be in your head. A new study from Stanford Medicine has revealed that significant molecular and microbial shifts occur during our 40s and 60s. Researchers examined thousands of molecules in people aged 25 to 75 and their microbiomes—bacteria, viruses, and fungi- within and on our bodies. Contrary to gradual changes, the study found two significant periods of rapid transformation around the ages of 44 and 60. These findings, detailed in an upcoming paper in Nature Aging, highlight gradual biological changes and pronounced shifts at specific intervals, according to Michael Snyder, PhD, chair of genetics at Stanford and the study’s senior author.
The research, led by Xiaotao Shen, PhD, a former Stanford Medicine postdoctoral scholar now at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, suggests these shifts significantly impact our health. For example, the abundance of molecules related to cardiovascular health and immune function shows marked changes at these age milestones. This research initiative stemmed from the observation that the risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease doesn’t increase linearly but spikes in older age, prompting an investigation into the molecular and microbial change rate across ages.
Snyder’s team worked with data from 108 individuals, monitoring them over several years through regular blood donations and other biological samples. This enabled the tracking of a diverse range of molecules, including RNA, proteins, and metabolites, as well as microbiome changes. From this vast data collection—encompassing more than 135,000 different molecules and microbes totalling nearly 250 billion data points—they discovered that about 81% of all molecules exhibited non-linear changes, fluctuating more significantly around the mid-40s and early 60s.
While much of the existing research on ageing focuses on how molecular levels typically increase or decrease over time, this study is one of the few to explore the rate at which these biological changes occur. Snyder commented on the abundance of dramatic changes particularly noted in the early 60s, aligning with the age-related increase in disease risks and other ageing phenomena. The team was initially surprised to find significant molecular changes in the mid-40s as well, which they first thought might be influenced by menopause or perimenopause in women. However, further analysis indicated that similar shifts were occurring in men, suggesting that other significant factors affect these changes in both genders.
Shen emphasized the need for further research to identify and understand these factors, which appear crucial in men and women during their mid-40s. The study’s findings suggest that these age-related changes could be linked to lifestyle or behavioural factors prevalent in these age groups rather than purely biological causes. For instance, dysfunction in alcohol metabolism might emerge from increased consumption during the mid-40s, often a stressful period.
As the research team plans to explore the underlying causes of these clusters of changes, the implications of their findings are clear. These age-specific shifts necessitate a greater focus on health management during critical life stages. Practical steps include boosting physical activity to protect heart health and muscle mass and moderating alcohol consumption as the body’s processing ability wanes. Snyder advocates for proactive lifestyle adjustments to maintain health and vitality, emphasizing, “I firmly believe that we should try to adjust our lifestyles while we’re still healthy.” This study sheds light on when and how biological changes occur and underscores the importance of anticipating and adapting to these changes to enhance health outcomes as we age.
More information: Xiaotao Shen et al, Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging, Nature Aging. DOI: 10.1038/s43587-024-00692-2
Journal information: Nature Aging Provided by Stanford Medicine
