Aging doesn’t happen in a straight line. Instead, studies show an acceleration in aging at 44, 60, and 75 years of age. At these points of inflection, the rate of molecular change in our bodies increases, and aging accelerates.
Take a look below at what to expect at each inflection point, then dive into our tips on how to prepare for these key moments of aging:
Inflection Point #1
At age 44, a step change in the body’s:
- Gut microbiome makeup
- Ability to metabolize lipids, carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol decreases
- Fat accumulation
- Recovery times from physical challenges (sickness, physical strain, and accident recovery)
Inflection Point #2
At age 60, a further step change in the body’s:
- Ability to metabolize lipids, carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol decreases further
- Fat accumulation
- Rate or muscle loss, referred to as Sarcopenia
- Loss of coordination and balance
- Skin aging
- Recovery times from physical challenges (sickness, physical strain, and accident recovery)
- Rate of decline in immune system regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle resiliency
- Rise in disease risk, including diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cardiovascular disease
Inflection Point #3:
At age 75, another step change in the body’s:
- Ability to metabolize lipids, carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol decreases further still
- Rate of Sarcopenia (muscle loss)
- Recovery times from physical challenges (sickness, physical strain, and accident recovery)
- Rate of decline in a range of blood biomarkers, including cholesterol, glucose, uric acid, and creatinine levels
So now what?
No one wants to decline with age, so intervention is key! Get out ahead of these points of aging inflection by preparing yourself.
Prepare for Inflection Point #1
Before age 44:
- Work with your doctor to update your health monitoring plan
- Reduce calorie intake; cut back on carbohydrates (especially sugar), caffeine, and alcohol consumption
- Limit periods and instances of excess (e.g., binge drinking)
- Enhance focus on better sleep, nutrition, and physical activity levels
- Monitor stress levels and reduce periods of extreme stress
Prepare for Inflection Point #2
Before age 60:
- Work with your doctor to further update your health monitoring plan
- Reduce calorie intake; prioritize protein consumption
- Cut back further on carbohydrates (especially sugar), caffeine, and alcohol consumption
- Boost your immune system with healthier eating
- Hydrate more effectively (e.g., drink more water)
- Take body-building and immune system-boosting supplements
- Reduce stress levels
- Engage more socially
- Get things fixed (e.g., knees, etc.)
- Prioritize strength training and balance exercises
Prepare for Inflection Point #3
Before age 75:
- Work with your doctor to further update your health monitoring plan
- Cut back further or eliminate carbohydrates, caffeine, and alcohol consumption
- Boost your immune system with healthier eating
- Hydrate more effectively (e.g., drink more water)
- Take body-building and immune system-boosting supplements
- Prevent isolation and engage more socially
- Continue or increase strength training and balance exercises
- Prevent falls. Reduce the risk of falling by installing safety railings, evaluating footwear for safety, using walkers if needed, etc.
The lists above of interventions may not be exhaustive but are extremely helpful. Your healthcare professional can help round out the additional intervention steps that will be helpful to you.
As always, living better in later years requires behaving differently in earlier years. Take a baby step this week and start preparing for your upcoming inflection point!
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Header Image Credit: morisfoto