Human aging may not be a continuous process, but rather occur in specific biological “leapfrogs,” according to a study published in 2024 in Nature Aging.
The research, which analyzed more than 135,000 molecules in adults over several years, identified two key moments in life where the body undergoes profound changes: around the ages of 44 and 60.
Scientists have discovered that, at these ages, simultaneous transformations occur in metabolism, proteins, the immune system, and other essential bodily functions. This finding challenges the traditional idea that aging proceeds uniformly and progressively.
Sudden and synchronized changes
According to the authors, these “jumps” could explain why many people perceive they have “suddenly” aged, noticing a sudden drop in their energy, physical capacity, or mental acuity.
Among the possible causes, experts cite an increase in aging cells, epigenetic alterations, and failures in mitochondria, which are responsible for producing energy in cells.
Implications for Preventive Health
The new perspective suggests that it might be possible to apply specific prevention and care strategies just before or during these critical periods, with the aim of delaying the onset of chronic diseases and improving quality of life in later life.
In this way, aging would be understood not as a continuous slope, but as a succession of stable phases interrupted by profound changes, which opens new avenues for research into longevity and preventive medicine.
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