Gaby
Aging is a natural part of the human experience. However, not all organs and functions of the body lose their vitality at the same rate.
Geneticists at Stanford University have identified four biological types of aging. They explained what determines an individual’s ‘age type’.
These patterns primarily depend on metabolism, the immune system, the liver, and the kidneys. Accordingly, the researchers named the types metabolic, immune, hepatic, and renal.
What the Researchers Discovered
The team of geneticists set out to understand why some people seem 50 by the time they are 40, while others look 35 at 45. The scientists hypothesized that those differences are linked to how well certain organs function, and they pinpointed which organs seem to drive the variation. The heart was not among the four primary organs tied to aging.
Over two years, the team tracked molecular patterns of aging. Dr. Michael Snyder, chair of the genetics department at Stanford University School of Medicine and the study’s lead author, said the team gained a comprehensive view of aging mechanisms.
The scientists monitored 43 healthy men and women between the ages of 34 and 68. They examined samples of blood, stool, genetic material, microbes, proteins, and other byproducts of metabolic processes.
By tracking how those samples changed over time, the team identified 608 markers that indicate aging. The researchers grouped those markers into four types that correlated with specific organ functions.
What Belonging to a Specific ‘Age Type’ Indicates
A person with a metabolic age type is more likely to experience metabolic problems. They often need to monitor blood sugar and are at higher risk for heart failure, insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
People whose immune systems age faster than the rest of their bodies belong to the immune type. Over the years, these individuals tend to experience chronic inflammation and autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Their bodies are frequently battling harmful pathogens and damaging molecules such as free radicals.
The hepatic age type means the liver is aging faster than other organs. Declining liver function can include reduced blood flow to the liver. That is dangerous because the liver filters and detoxifies blood, processes substances such as alcohol and certain medications, and performs hundreds of other functions critical to survival. People with a hepatic age type face a higher risk of cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.
The renal age type is associated with declining kidney function. This poses a serious health concern because the kidneys filter waste from the blood and help regulate blood pressure.
While someone may be predisposed to one of these age types, that does not mean they won’t notice aging in other parts of their body.
The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Medicine. The findings suggest that understanding which biological processes go out of balance could give people a better chance to improve their health. Most improvements come from weight loss, cutting back on smoking and alcohol, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar.
‘Age type is more than just a label; it can help people focus on health risk factors and identify areas where they may face challenges in the future,’ Dr. Snyder concluded.
