A new scientific study conducted by Chinese researchers reveals that the human body begins to age more quickly around the age of 50.
Scientists have analyzed nearly 516 fabric samples from 76 donors aged 14 to 68, all died following a head trauma.
Their research has focused on several major organs, including cardiovascular, digestive, immune, endocrine and cutaneous systems.
The study identified 48 proteins associated with aging and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disorders, tissue fibrosis or liver disease. These proteins are becoming more and more present with age, according to their conclusions.
As these proteins are not uniform throughout the body, researchers have found that certain organs show signs of aging before others.
The adrenal gland, for example, undergoes changes from the age of 30. But it is between 45 and 55 years that a major biological turning point seem to occur: the expression of proteins linked to aging then increases sharply in several organs, in particular in the aorta, the main artery of the body.
A particular protein, called Gas6, could play a central role in this process. Its injection in young mice during scientific experiences caused early signs of aging, such as muscle weakness, balance disorders and vascular lesions.
“Blood vessels could act as channels that disseminate aging throughout the organism,” said Guangui Liu, principal researcher.
These results support the idea that aging does not follow a linear curve, but rather manifests in waves, with certain critical thresholds.
Other experts, however, point out that it is still too early to designate 50 years as a universal rocking point.
In the United States, nearly 58 million people are 65 years old or older, and this figure could reach 89 million by 2060, according to the agency National Institute on Aging.
However, 93 % of American elders live with at least one chronic disease.
Researchers hope that this study will make it possible to develop targeted interventions to slow down aging and improve the quality of long -term life.
