Research has concluded: When does the body age?
A new scientific study has found that the aging process in the human body begins earlier than previously believed, with the first biological signs appearing in the 30s and accelerating significantly between the ages of 45 and 55.
Kokcha News Agency: A groundbreaking study conducted by Chinese researchers has revealed that the aging process in humans starts earlier than commonly thought. The study, which analyzed 516 tissue samples from 76 organ donors aged 14 to 68 over a 50-year period, found that significant biological changes begin around the age of 30, with a sharp increase in aging markers after 50.
Previous studies have shown that harmful proteins associated with diseases such as heart disease, tissue fibrosis, and liver tumors increase with age. The new findings confirm that these proteins rise dramatically as individuals age, particularly in critical organs like the adrenal glands and the aorta, the body’s main artery.
The study highlights that the adrenal glands, which play a crucial role in hormone production, show changes in protein levels as early as the 30s. The most significant aging effects were observed in the aorta, where researchers noted that blood vessels are particularly vulnerable to early aging. A protein called GAS6, which is involved in cell growth and survival, may play a role in accelerating this process.
The researchers believe these findings could pave the way for targeted treatments to improve health outcomes in older adults and combat age-related diseases. The study, published in the medical journal Nature, aligns with other research examining the relationship between organ aging and longevity.
In related research, scientists have found that different organs in the same person can age at different rates. Advanced biological age in organs has been linked to conditions such as heart failure, COPD, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Lifestyle Factors and Aging:
The study also emphasized the importance of lifestyle choices in slowing the aging process. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and mental activities can help maintain cognitive health. A diet rich in fatty fish and white meat, higher education levels, and an active lifestyle were found to be beneficial.
Conversely, smoking, alcohol consumption, processed meat intake, poor sleep, and living in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas were identified as factors that accelerate organ aging.
Simple Home Tests to Assess Aging:
Caroline Idiens, a 52-year-old personal trainer from Berkshire, UK, shared five simple tests to assess aging at home. These include standing on one leg, performing planks, getting up from a chair, squatting, and using water bottles for strength training.
An article in The Telegraph warned, “If you say ‘ouch’ when getting up from a chair, it’s time to prepare your body for the future.”
