Illustration by Midjourney.© ZME Science
Aging – Senescence, Lifestyle, Environment | Britannica
Aging is a process that goes on over the entire adult life span of any living thing1. It takes place in a cell, an organ, or the total organism with the passage of time1. Gerontology is the study of the aging process and is devoted to the understanding and control of all factors contributing to the finitude of individual life1. Some aging is caused by the body, like kids growing and teenagers going through puberty, while other aging accumulates over time, like skin damage caused by sun exposure 2.
Aging represents the major risk factor for cancer.
Cancer and aging are characterized by a similar dysregulated metabolism consisting in upregulation of glycolysis and downmodulation of oxidative phosphorylation. In this respect, metabolic interventions can be viewed as promising strategies to promote longevity and to prevent or delay age-related disorders including cancer.
In this review, Metabolic Alterations at the Crossroad of Aging and Oncogenesis – PubMed we discuss the most promising metabolic approaches including chronic calorie restriction, periodic fasting/fasting-mimicking diets, and pharmacological interventions mimicking calorie restriction.
Dr Nicholas Gonzalez and the Warburg Effect – Search
Aging drives large systemic reductions in oxidative mitochondrial function, shifting the entire body metabolically toward aerobic glycolysis, a.k.a, the Warburg effect. Aging is also one of the most significant risk factors for the development of human cancers, including breast tumors. Is Cancer a Metabolic Imbalance from Aging – Search Videos
Life Turns on You at Sixty.
As we live longer, we witness our life die before we do, your parents, your siblings, your friends close neighbors in no particular order and if you live into your 90’s most are gone. How you view all this lost is all about your mindset and how you view life.
- A deceased aunt once told me you have to experience depression once in your life to overcome the grief of growing older and she was right. She told me if you live to be 100 you will have lost everyone around you.
It’s the outlook on life that gets you to 100 with the help of a multivitamin. Most of us think of aging as a slow, inevitable creep—an accumulation of gray hairs, wrinkles, and aches. Yet, according to scientists at Stanford University, this story is far from linear.
They discovered two distinct periods of dramatic molecular change, occurring around the ages of 44 and 60. These “peaks of aging” reveal that our bodies may transform more abruptly than previously thought.
“We’re not just changing gradually over time; there are some really dramatic changes,” said Michael Snyder, PhD, a professor of genetics at Stanford University and senior author of the study. “The mid-40s and early 60s are key times when molecular shifts spike, and that’s true no matter what class of molecules you look at.”
These findings shed light on why age-related diseases, like cardiovascular conditions or Alzheimer’s, tend to emerge not gradually, but suddenly—seemingly all at once.
Molecular Milestones: Ages 44 and 60
To understand how aging affects our bodies at a molecular level, the research team analyzed over 135,000 molecules and microbes from blood and biological samples collected from 108 participants aged 25 to 75.
Over several years, scientists tracked nearly 250 billion data points, mapping age-related changes in RNA, proteins, metabolites, and the microbiome. They discovered that 81% of these molecules underwent significant shifts at two critical ages: 44 and 60. Molecules linked to metabolism, cardiovascular health, immune function, and even skin and muscle health surged or dwindled during these windows.
The changes at 60 were expected, coinciding with the well-documented decline in immune function and the rise in chronic diseases. But the shifts at 44 were a surprise. “We initially thought menopause might explain the mid-40s changes in women,” said Xiaotao Shen, PhD, a co-author of the study. “But it turns out men experience these shifts, too. This suggests other, potentially more significant factors at play.”
How These Changes Affect Health
In your 40s, the molecular changes primarily affect alcohol, caffeine, and lipid metabolism. These shifts might translate into feeling less tolerant of your favorite drink or noticing subtle changes in your skin’s elasticity or muscle tone. At this stage, you start to feel much older than before and look the part too. In your 60s, the changes extend to carbohydrate metabolism, immune regulation, and kidney function—factors tied to age-related illnesses like diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
These molecular milestones are really important. They provide insight into the biological mechanisms behind aging and may help identify targets for therapies to keep people healthier for longer.
“We can track these changes and take preventative measures,” Snyder said. For instance, starting statins in your 40s could curb cholesterol buildup, while drinking more water and boosting your immune system in your 60s might mitigate kidney and immune decline.
Related: Seattle scientists make new discoveries on aging brain cells (FOX 13 Seattle)
Why Do These Peaks Happen?
The reasons for these sharp transitions remain unclear. Snyder speculates they could stem from lifestyle factors, cellular senescence, or a combination of both. Stress, diet, and exercise—or the lack thereof—often reach critical points in midlife, potentially driving these molecular cascades.
“There’s still so much we don’t know,” Snyder admitted. “But what’s clear is that these changes are happening, and they’re affecting how we age.”
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t lessons to be gleaned. For instance, in your 40s, reducing alcohol consumption and maintaining regular exercise can bolster heart and muscle health. In your 60s, staying hydrated and eating immune-boosting foods could help mitigate declines in kidney and immune function. While aging is unavoidable, its worst effects can be managed with thoughtful lifestyle choices.
The findings appeared in the journal Nature Aging.
This story originally appeared on ZME Science. Want to get smarter every day? Subscribe to our newsletter and stay ahead with the latest science news.
Aging: What to expect
Wonder what’s considered a natural part of the aging process? Here’s what to expect as you get older — and what you can do about it.By Mayo Clinic Staff
You know that aging will likely cause wrinkles and gray hair. But do you know how aging will affect your teeth, heart and sexuality? Find out what changes to expect as you continue aging — and how to promote good health at any age.
Your cardiovascular system
What’s happening
The most common change in the cardiovascular system is stiffening of the blood vessels and arteries, causing your heart to work harder to pump blood through them. The heart muscles change to adjust to the increased workload. Your heart rate at rest will stay about the same, but it won’t increase during activities as much as it used to. These changes increase the risk of high blood pressure (hypertension) and other cardiovascular problems.
What you can do
To promote heart health:
- Include physical activity in your daily routine. Try walking, swimming or other activities you enjoy. Regular moderate physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your heart disease risk.
- Eat a healthy diet. Choose vegetables, fruits, whole grains, high-fiber foods and lean sources of protein, such as fish. Limit foods high in saturated fat and salt.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking contributes to the hardening of your arteries and increases your blood pressure and heart rate. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.
- Manage stress. Stress can take a toll on your heart. Take steps to reduce stress, such as meditation, exercise or talk therapy.
- Get enough sleep. Quality sleep plays an important role in the healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. Aim for seven to nine hours a night.
Your bones, joints and muscles
What’s happening
With age, bones tend to shrink in size and density. This weakens them. Age-related bone changes also might cause you to become a bit shorter. Muscles tend to lose strength, endurance and flexibility. That in turn can affect coordination, stability and balance. These changes raise the risk of falls.
Falling with weaker bones makes it more likely that you could break a bone.
Shrinking With Age: When Should You Be Concerned?
Why do we shrink as we age? | Live Science
What you can do
To help bones, joints and muscles stay healthy:
- Get enough calcium. Adults should aim to get at least 1,000 milligrams (mg) of calcium a day. Women age 51 and older, and men 71 and older should aim to get 1,200 mg a day. You can get calcium from foods such as dairy products, broccoli, kale, salmon and tofu. If you find it hard to get enough calcium from your diet, ask your doctor about calcium supplements.
- Get enough vitamin D. Adults up to age 70 should aim to get 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D a day. Adults older than 70 should aim to get 800 IU a day. Sources of vitamin D include tuna, trout, salmon, eggs, vitamin D-fortified milk and vitamin D supplements. The body also makes vitamin D when exposed to direct sunlight.
- Include physical activity in your daily routine. Weight-bearing exercises can help you build strong bones and slow bone loss. These exercises include walking, jogging, tennis, climbing stairs and weight training.
- Don’t abuse substances. Smoking tobacco and drinking too much alcohol can lessen bone mass and raise the risk of fractures. If you smoke, get help quitting. If you drink alcohol, you’ll likely feel its effects more strongly as you get older. That can raise the risk of serious injuries from falls and car accidents. Ask your healthcare professional how much alcohol might be safe for your age, sex and general health.
Your digestive system
What’s happening
Age-related structural changes in the large intestine can result in more constipation in older adults. Other contributing factors include a lack of exercise, not drinking enough fluids and a low-fiber diet. Medications, such as diuretics and iron supplements, and certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, also might contribute to constipation.
What you can do
To prevent constipation:
- Eat a healthy diet. Make sure your diet includes high-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit high-fat meats, dairy products and sweets, which might cause constipation. Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
- Include physical activity in your daily routine. Regular physical activity can help prevent constipation.
- Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel movement. Holding in a bowel movement for too long can cause constipation.
Your bladder and urinary tract
What’s happening
Your bladder may become less elastic as you age, resulting in the need to urinate more often. Weakening of bladder muscles and pelvic floor muscles may make it difficult for you to empty your bladder completely or cause you to lose bladder control (urinary incontinence). In men, an enlarged or inflamed prostate also can cause difficulty emptying the bladder and incontinence.
Other factors that contribute to incontinence include being overweight, nerve damage from diabetes, certain medications, and caffeine or alcohol consumption.
What you can do
To promote bladder and urinary tract health:
- Go to the toilet regularly. Consider urinating on a regular schedule, such as every hour. Slowly, extend the amount of time between your toilet trips.
- Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, lose excess pounds.
- Don’t smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your doctor to help you quit.
- Do Kegel exercises. To exercise your pelvic floor muscles (Kegel exercises), squeeze the muscles you would you use to stop passing gas. Try it for three seconds at a time, and then relax for a count of three. Work up to doing the exercise 10 to 15 times in a row, at least three times a day.
- Avoid bladder irritants. Caffeine, acidic foods, alcohol and carbonated beverages can make incontinence worse.
- Avoid constipation. Eat more fiber and take other steps to avoid constipation, which can worsen incontinence.
Your memory and thinking skills
What’s happening
Your brain undergoes changes as you age that may have minor effects on your memory or thinking skills. For example, healthy older adults might forget familiar names or words, or they may find it more difficult to multitask.
What you can do
You can promote cognitive health by taking the following steps:
- Include physical activity in your daily routine. Physical activity increases blood flow to your whole body, including your brain. Studies suggest regular exercise is associated with better brain function and reduces stress and depression — factors that affect memory.
- Eat a healthy diet. A heart-healthy diet may benefit your brain. Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Choose low-fat protein sources, such as fish, lean meat and skinless poultry. Too much alcohol can lead to confusion and memory loss.
- Stay mentally active. Staying mentally active may help sustain your memory and thinking skills. You can read, play word games, take up a new hobby, take classes, or learn to play an instrument.
- Be social. Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss. You might volunteer at a local school or nonprofit, spend time with family and friends, or attend social events.
- Treat cardiovascular disease. Follow your doctor’s recommendations to manage cardiovascular risk factors — high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes — that may increase the risk of cognitive decline.
- Quit smoking. If you smoke, quitting smoking may help your cognitive health.
If you’re concerned about memory loss or other changes in your thinking skills, talk to your doctor.
Your eyes and ears
What’s happening
With age, you might have difficulty focusing on objects that are close up. You might become more sensitive to glare and have trouble adapting to different levels of light. Aging also can affect your eye’s lens, causing clouded vision (cataracts).
Your hearing also might diminish. You might have difficulty hearing high frequencies or following a conversation in a crowded room.
What you can do
To promote eye and ear health:
- Schedule regular checkups. Follow your doctor’s advice about glasses, contact lenses, hearing aids and other corrective devices.
- Take precautions. Wear sunglasses or a wide-brimmed hat when you’re outdoors, and use earplugs when you’re around loud machinery or other loud noises. Source: Aging: What to expect – Mayo Clinic
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Aging x 2 = 
Life Turns on You on Sixty.
Pronouns: Fu kit Toxic Twins