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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Science
Hannah Devlin Science corresponent

Scientists find humans age dramatically in two bursts – at 44, then 60

Laughter lines of a middle-aged woman
The unexpected mid-40s ageing spike was first assumed to be a result of perimenopause, but similar shifts were seen in men of that age too. Photograph: blickwinkel/Alamy

If you have noticed a sudden accumulation of wrinkles, aches and pains or a general sensation of having grown older almost overnight, there may be a scientific explanation. Research suggests that rather than being a slow and steady process, aging occurs in at least two accelerated bursts.

The study, which tracked thousands of different molecules in people aged 25 to 75, detected two major waves of age-related changes at around ages 44 and again at 60. The findings could explain why spikes in certain health issues including musculoskeletal problems and cardiovascular disease occur at certain ages.

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