Researchers Say Humans Age Dramatically at 44 & 60

Turns out, there’s no such thing as aging gracefully. Humans age at a molecular level in two accelerated bursts—the first at age 44 and then again at 60, according to scientists at Stanford University and Nanyang Technological University in Singapore.

In a study published in Nature Aging, researchers followed 108 participants over several years to observe aging changes in their RNA, proteins and microbiomes. They discovered that subjects don’t age gradually.

For example, researchers said that the ability to metabolize caffeine notably decreases—first around the age of 40 and once more around 60. Components involved in metabolizing alcohol also diminish, particularly around the age of 40, said Michael Snyder, chair of the department of genetics at Stanford and an author of the study.

Drink Less Alcohol, Exercise More Often

The takeaway? Researchers advise lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and exercising more around these key ages. Snyder also recommended people nearing 60 should watch their carbohydrate intake and drink plenty of water to improve kidney function.

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Snyder told CNN that, anecdotally, “people often get muscle injuries and see their fat accumulation hit in their 40s (related to lipid metabolism) and sarcopenia (muscle loss) hits people in their 60s—this is a very big deal.”

Snyder explained that both age groups experienced changes in proteins that hold tissues together, which may help explain skin, muscle and cardiovascular changes.

Disease risks also rise faster, particularly after the age of 60. The study found that people aged 60 or older are more susceptible to cardiovascular disorders, kidney issues and type 2 diabetes.