Ageing has long been perceived as a continuous, gradual process that happens differently for each person. However, new research from a Nature Aging article called “Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human ageing” shows that ageing doesn’t always happen gradually. Instead, there are sudden “bursts” of ageing that occur at certain stages of life. 

In this blog, let’s discuss these key findings for a better understanding of how ageing works and help explain when and why major changes in our bodies happen.

Two Ageing Bursts

The research points out two major spikes in ageing: one around the age of 40 and another at 60. These bursts were noticed in several types of biological data, such as genetics, proteins, and metabolism, meaning they seem to happen to everyone, not just certain groups or individuals. This consistent pattern across different biological systems suggests the body undergoes major changes at these ages.

Ageing at 40

At age 40, several changes in the body become noticeable:

• Slower Metabolism of Alcohol and Caffeine: Around this age, your body becomes less efficient at processing caffeine and alcohol, which may affect how long they remain in your system and how you experience their effects.

• Skin and Muscle Ageing: Signs of ageing in the skin and muscles also become more noticeable. Muscle mass begins to decrease by about 3–8% per decade after age 30, and this loss speeds up after 60. This reduction in muscle mass, called sarcopenia, is one of the clearest signs of ageing and is linked to a drop in physical strength and mobility.

Ageing at 60

By the time people reach 60, the ageing process speeds up, showing in several key areas:

• Heart and Blood Vessel Changes: The study connects faster ageing of the skin and muscles to heart disease. There are changes in how “good” cholesterol (HDL) works, which affects cholesterol levels, and shifts in how the body manages fats that are important for cell health. Heart problems like thickening of the heart muscle and reduced function become more noticeable, increasing the risk of heart disease.
• Weaker Immune System: Around 60, the immune system weakens significantly, making people more prone to infections and long-term health issues. This is why older adults often need more medical care, like vaccines and immune-boosting treatments.
• Kidney and Metabolic Issues: Kidney function begins to decline, making it harder for the body to manage fluids and get rid of waste. Metabolism of sugars and fats also slows down, raising the risk of diabetes and obesity.

What Causes These Ageing Bursts? 

While the research highlights these specific ageing bursts, it also explores the reasons behind them:

• Combination of Biological Data: These ageing bursts are based on data from different areas of biology (like genetics, proteins, and metabolism), showing that the changes happen across many parts of the body, not just in one system.
• Build-up of Cellular Damage:  As we age, damage builds up in our cells, including things like an overload of harmful molecules, DNA damage, and proteins not forming correctly. When this damage reaches a certain point, it can cause sudden big changes in the body at certain life stages.
• Changes in Metabolism: Ageing bursts are also linked to how our metabolism slows down. As we get older, the body becomes less able to process things like alcohol, caffeine, and fats, which affects energy levels, organ function, and the risk of diseases.
• Genetics and Lifestyle: While these ageing bursts are common, individual genetics and lifestyle choices, such as diet, exercise, and stress, also impact how they show up for each person.

This research focuses on ageing up to the age of 70, but there may be another significant burst around 78, which is yet to be explored. Further studies are necessary to determine whether these bursts continue at older ages or if they plateau. 

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