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 from Stanford University in the U.S. have identified four biological types of aging. The researchers explained what determines an individual’s “age type.”
It turns out that these patterns primarily depend on metabolism, the immune system, liver, and kidneys. Hence, the types are named accordingly: metabolic, immune, hepatic, and nephrotic.
What the Researchers Discovered
The team of geneticists aimed to understand why some people appear to be 50 years old by the time they reach 40, while others look like they are 35 when they hit 45. The scientists hypothesized that these differences were linked to the functioning of vital organs. Ultimately, they pinpointed which organs were responsible. Interestingly, the heart was not included in the quartet of key organs primarily responsible for our aging.
Over two years, the team studied the patterns of human aging at the molecular level. As Dr. Michael Snyder, head of the genetics department at Stanford University School of Medicine and the lead author of the study, noted, the geneticists gained a comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of aging.
The scientists monitored 43 healthy men and women aged between 34 and 68 years. They examined samples of blood, stool, genetic material, microbes, proteins, and other byproducts of metabolic processes.
By tracking how these samples changed over time, the team identified 608 markers indicating aging. The researchers grouped them into four types that correlated with specific functions and organs.
What Belonging to a Specific “Age Type” Indicates
A person with a metabolic aging type is more likely to experience metabolic issues. They often face an acute need to monitor their blood sugar levels and are more prone to heart failure, insulin resistance, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.
Those whose immune systems age faster than the rest of their bodies belong to the immune type. Over the years, these individuals suffer from various types of inflammation and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. Their bodies are constantly battling harmful pathogens and toxic compounds, like free radicals.
The hepatic aging type indicates that the liver ages faster than other organs. Deterioration of this organ’s function includes a decrease in blood flow to it. This is quite dangerous, as the liver is a vital organ for filtering and detoxifying blood, processing toxic substances like alcohol and drugs, and performing hundreds of other functions critical to our survival. People with a hepatic aging type face a high risk of developing cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
The nephrotic type is associated with declining kidney function, as reported by the Daily Mail. This poses a significant health issue since the kidneys filter waste from the blood and help regulate blood pressure.
While individuals may be more predisposed to one of these age types, it doesn’t mean they won’t notice aging in other parts of their bodies.
The results of the study were published in the journal Nature Medicine. They showed that as people gain a better understanding of the nature of biological process disruptions, they will have significantly greater chances of improving their health. Primarily, this can be achieved through weight loss, reducing smoking and alcohol consumption, and controlling blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
“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.
