Ages 44 and 60: Your Aging Turning Points?

The Vital Whole Human
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Accelerated Aging
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Hidden Triggers of Accelerated Aging

New research shows that we don't age linearly, but in rapid bursts at ages 44 and 60. Here's why and how to disrupt it.

Ever had that moment where you suddenly feel old? Like realizing your favorite movie, which you swear came out just a decade ago, is actually hitting its 25th anniversary? Ouch! Pass the Ensure.

Well, Stanford University researchers have discovered some pretty exact times when your body suddenly gets older at the molecular level: ages 44 and 60. See, before their research, we assumed that our bodies aged gradually at a steady pace. That makes sense linearly.

But how do we define "age?" Chronologically, it's defined by the calendar. At the molecular level, it's defined by clusters of biological processes.

Each cluster represents a set of molecules or microbes that change nonlinearly, peaking or declining at specific ages. These clusters are associated with distinct biological pathways and aging-related processes. Two "bursts" of accelerated change occur at 44 and 60 according to their research.

Let's take a look at the study, then figure out how to disrupt these bursts of rapid aging.

The Study

The researchers recruited over 100 participants between 25 and 75 and used multi-omics profiling to see how they aged over the years.

Multi-omics integrates multiple layers of biological data: DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, lipids, and microbial communities. This holistic profiling method captures the complex interactions and dynamic changes across these biological systems.

It gets complex, but basically, they identified molecules and microbes exhibiting nonlinear changes around age 44 and again at 60:

  • Cluster 1: Oxidative stress-related
  • Cluster 2: Histone modification and epigenetic regulation
  • Cluster 3: Insulin signaling and glucose metabolism
  • Cluster 4: Immune response and inflammation
  • Cluster 5: Lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health
  • Cluster 6: Microbial metabolism

Put all those together and you're looking at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, various metabolic diseases, and, of course, systemic inflammation.

Woman
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Can We Delay These Bursts of Aging?

Yes, and exercise, diet, and lifestyle play their usual roles. The researchers above were mainly focused on finding these critical age windows for targeted interventions (drugs and therapies) to mitigate age-related diseases. But they did discuss a few nutritional interventions, like the ones that tamp down inflammation, lead to healthy levels of antioxidants, and improve gut health.

Dozens of nutritional supplements positively influence each cluster, but there are functional overlaps. For example, microbial metabolites (cluster 6) modulate inflammation (cluster 4) and lipid metabolism (cluster 5), linking gut health to systemic aging.

So, to minimize the list of supplements that ward off rapid aging bursts, let's focus on those that stand out for their ability to target at least three clusters each:

  1. Cyanidin-3-Glucoside: C3G effectively targets five of the six clusters – oxidative stress, immune response/inflammation, insulin signaling, lipid metabolism, and microbial metabolism – with strong evidence for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, metabolic, and microbiome-modulating effects. Its impact on the histone modification cluster is less direct but plausible through SIRT1 and AMPK pathways.
    Usage: Take 300 mg daily using a formula containing glycerol monostearate to enhance absorption and bioavailability, such as Biotest Indigo-3G (Buy at Amazon).

Indigo-3G

  1. Omega-3s (Fish Oil): Best for inflammation, lipid, and microbiome health, reducing cardiovascular and systemic inflammatory risks.
    Usage: Take 4200 mg daily using a formula containing "caprylocaproyl polyoxyl-8 glyceride," a pharmaceutical agent that increases bioavailability. That's 3 softgels of Flameout DHA-Rich Fish Oil (Buy at Amazon).

Buy Flameout at Amazon

  1. Curcumin: Ideal for epigenetic, inflammatory, and oxidative stress modulation, supporting gene regulation and cellular health.
    Usage: Take 400 mg daily. Biotest's Micellar Curcumin (Buy at Amazon) formula contains solid lipid curcumin particles that produce 95 times more free curcumin in the bloodstream than regular curcumin with piperine. (It's the one you absorb.)

MC-on-Amazon

  1. CoQ10: Strong for oxidative stress, cardiovascular health, and metabolic function, protecting mitochondria and vascular systems.
    Usage: Take 100 to 200 mg per day. Life Extension's Super Ubiquinol CoQ10 (Buy at Amazon) is a solid choice.
  2. Alpha-Lipoic Acid: ALA is effective for oxidative stress, insulin sensitivity, and epigenetic support, addressing metabolic and cellular aging.
    Usage: The recommended daily dosage of ALA typically ranges from 300 to 600 mg. Life Extension's Alpha-Lipoic Acid (Buy at Amazon) with biotin is a good choice.

Reference

  1. Shen, Xiaotao, et al. "Nonlinear Dynamics of Multi-Omics Profiles During Human Aging." Nature Aging, vol. 4, no. 11, Nov. 2024, pp. 1472–90.

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That moment you realize you’re closer to the second number than the first…

:face_with_raised_eyebrow:

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I was on cruise control and 37 felt like I aged 10 years.

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I feel really good at 40 - it’s when you’re actually an adult in adult years. And I have fun money now.

But I cannot be grateful enough for how lifting has made my life better. Taking advantage of the early years has a very visable carry over effect.

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Visible.

Sorry, it’s a thing with me.

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I just turned 43 this week. Without TRT I’d probably be feeling it but having youthful hormones definitely staves this off. I mean sure it prob doesn’t prevent the molecular level changes discussed but having better energy, body composition, and mood into your mid/later years pays off in spades.

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That’s what I deserve for typing on my phone.

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I thought the “everything goes downhill at 40” thing was bunk. But by 45 or so, I needed reading glasses, more recovery time, and lost my hair. TRT helped with everything else and aside from the bald head and glasses, I might be in my best shape ever at 54.

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Were all six clusters found to change at both ages? All six occur but did some clusters change more at 44 vs 60?

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In practice, these numbers are approximate. Also, the same person might have differently aged liver, brain, heart and other organs depending on their habits and epigenetics.

Still, fascinating stuff.

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At 58, and lifetime natural, no PEDs no TRT, just creatine and protein powder I am starting to feel it so the bump at 60 may be hitting me. Feeling a little more beat up than usual. Going to up my supplement game and see what happens. Thanks for sharing!

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It is interesting that I can see changes that occurred to me at both 44 and 60.

The biggest change was at age 60 when all my lifts that were rising after my dermatamyositis had gone into remission stopped progressing. Beginning at age 60 all lifts began to steadily get weaker. No matter what I tried, I have been in a strength decline which proceeds through my current age of 76.

But when I think back to changes that started around 44 years old, that is when I first noticed the medial head of my calf muscle begin the waste from the insertion upward and the lower, inner pectoral muscle begin to waste from the origin toward the insertion.

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Agreed. I turned 40 earlier this year, and I just don’t feel like it.

Except for yesterday. Yesterday was an old man back day.

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That was my experience. I was now looking at the Masters Nationals every year and on a mission.

As to age being a problem when we reach our 40’s, Charles Bailey asked me about powerlifting when he was in his early 40’s. From never powerlifting before, he reached a 2,500+ lb total in the 275lb class just before he reached 50 years old.

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I’m 52, and probably in the best shape I’ve ever been. Still about 173 lbs, can run a 6 min mile, crank out 25 pull ups, and dead lift about 400 lbs. That said, it takes being more “dialed in” at this age and paying closer attention to training intensity, recovery, nutrition, etc…

I am not on TRT, and haven’t really explored it. My HMO won’t test for testosterone unless they have a medical reason. Is it worth it for me to explore this on my own? Did you have specific symptoms that made you explore it, or simply something one should do at a certain age to maintain (or even improve) training and results?

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Worth checking into, for sure. The only symptom I really had was slow progress in the gym given how hard I trained, but I was in my 40’s too, so it was just time for a test. After TRT, I kept training and diet the same, but jumped up around 8-10 pounds while looking leaner.

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These study ideas seem valid. I mentioned this to a friend/professor the other day, who has run similar studies, coming to about the same results.

Personally, at 51 y.o., I’m bigger and stronger than ever before, at 225 lbs and around 15% bodyfat - Still progressing! That being said, I have noticed longer recovery times post excercise and am a bit more tired in general. Also, the joints are beginning to show signs of fragility. I suppose I’m sensitive to high volume training and maximal intensity, but I handle this by applying different training modalities/stimulus, which appearantly works! TRT is not an option - Yet - As I don’t consider myself having an illness. I question the use of a “therapy” for muscle building purposes.

I would honestly say that these changes have been present since around the age of 45 or so. I intend to keep resisting sarcopenia until next downfall at 60 y.o.

I heard Dan John say that you can keep progressing until 55 y.o. after which you should head for maintenance training more like a bodybuilder + adding ever present mobility work.

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Fred Hatfield hit that 1000lb squat for the first time at 45 I think. Then again at like 48.

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Same here. Looking to use the next two years before the Bix Six Oh to lose as much fat and build as much muscle as possible.

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