A Stanford University study led by researchers from the Stanford School of Medicine identified two distinct periods in life when aging accelerates the most: around the ages of 34 and 60. The study examined over 4,000 proteins in blood plasma from individuals aged 18 to 95, observing changes in the levels of these proteins as people age. These shifts mark distinct biological transitions, indicating that aging does not occur at a constant rate but instead has specific periods where it intensifies.
Here’s a summary of the key points:
- First Aging Spike (~34 years old): Around this age, the body experiences significant changes in protein composition, which may contribute to visible and physiological signs of aging, such as changes in metabolism and early signs of muscle and skin changes.
- Second Aging Spike (~60 years old): The next major shift occurs in the early 60s, likely correlating with more noticeable declines in physical and cognitive functions. This is also the period when many age-related diseases, such as cardiovascular problems and joint degeneration, begin to manifest more prominently.
The findings suggest that these specific periods are when interventions aimed at slowing aging could be most effective. The research emphasizes the role of proteins as biomarkers in aging, offering new insights into how we might monitor and address age-related changes in the future.
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What To Do To Counteract These Health Changes?
As a health coach my job is to create protocols to counteract aging and breakdown of our biology. During these two distinct periods in our life we can counteract the biological changes by being proactive, which may delay these aging periods five, maybe even 10 years.
Remember, this is Stanford Medicine studying everyone. There are different groups of people doing different things and getting different results, clearly!
- Metabolic Changes: Your metabolism is what breaks down fat and protein. The first challenge you face is a metabolism that is less efficient at breaking down fat and protein. Some of that youthful muscle may convert into fat, which you don’t want. The best way to counteract this is to stay active in the gym and lift weights to continue to keep your muscle composition higher. Additionally you will benefit tremendously from understanding the most damaging and most beneficial things for metabolic health.
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2. Brain & Cardiovascular Health: As you age the mitochondria dense parts of you body breakdown faster. This includes your brain, cardiovascular system and gut. The big three offenders are what damage these parts of the body the most.
This includes..
1. Circulation: Your circulation diminishes due to several reasons. Mainly it has to do with nutrients that keep the blood thin and viscous, vasodilation. This is likely due to low nitric oxide levels. Nitric oxide is a gaseous molecule that improves your microcirculation. I recommend taking Cardio Miracle (click here to visit) to maintain cardiovascular health as you age.
2. Inflammation: There are many inflammatory pathways in the body but Turmeric, specifically Curcurmin which is the active medicinal component within turmeric helps to tame the majority of inflammation pathways. This benefits your gut, heart and brain as inflammation applies stress to each of these areas of the body. I get the highest quality turmeric (and it’s cheap!) from Omica Organics. Click here to visit and use the discount code: healthywildfree at checkout for 10% off.
3. Blood sugar spikes: Your blood sugar levels and insulin levels influence the aging of your body in a big way. This is something I am currently studying and learning more about the depth of. It’s a big deal. Take a look at the many ways that blood sugar spikes or insulin resistance cause aging:
As we age, blood sugar (glucose) and insulin play a significant role in health, particularly when the body’s ability to regulate these levels declines. Here are the key ways blood sugar and insulin can negatively impact health with age:
1. Insulin Resistance
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the blood to use for energy. As people age, many become less sensitive to insulin, a condition known as insulin resistance. This can lead to elevated blood sugar levels, which strain the body’s systems over time. Insulin resistance is a precursor to type 2 diabetes, a condition that significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, and other complications.
2. Increased Risk of Cardiovascular Disease
High blood sugar and insulin resistance contribute to chronic inflammation and damage to blood vessels, which accelerates the buildup of plaque in the arteries (atherosclerosis). This increases the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases, which are more common as people age.
3. Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)
When blood sugar levels are consistently high, glycation occurs, where sugar molecules bind to proteins and fats in the body. This creates advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which damage cells and tissues. AGEs are linked to aging-related conditions such as:
- Skin aging (wrinkles and loss of elasticity)
- Joint stiffness and degeneration
- Cognitive decline (associated with Alzheimer’s disease)
4. Impaired Brain Health
Chronic high blood sugar and insulin resistance can lead to neurodegeneration. This has been associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline, sometimes referred to as “type 3 diabetes” due to the brain’s insulin resistance. High insulin levels can also interfere with brain function and memory.
5. Damage to Kidneys
Elevated blood sugar levels can harm the kidneys over time, leading to diabetic nephropathy, a leading cause of chronic kidney disease. As we age, the kidneys naturally lose function, and diabetes accelerates this decline.
6. Weight Gain and Metabolic Slowdown
Insulin plays a crucial role in fat storage. As insulin resistance increases, the body tends to store more fat, particularly around the abdomen. This leads to obesity, which further exacerbates insulin resistance, creating a vicious cycle. Weight gain and slowing metabolism with age increase the risk of developing metabolic syndrome—a cluster of conditions that includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and increased waist circumference.
7. Poor Wound Healing and Immune Function
High blood sugar affects immune function, reducing the body’s ability to fight off infections and heal wounds. This can be particularly problematic as we age, when the immune system is naturally less robust.
8. Vision and Nerve Damage
Chronic high blood sugar can lead to damage in small blood vessels, particularly in the eyes (diabetic retinopathy) and nerves (diabetic neuropathy). This can cause vision loss and nerve pain, especially in the extremities. These risks increase with age as the body becomes less efficient at repairing this damage.
To protect against the negative effects of blood sugar and insulin as we age, managing diet (limiting refined carbs and sugars), staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy weight are key. Effective management can reduce the risk of insulin resistance, diabetes, and the various complications that arise from them.
