Radheshyam Miryala MD’s Post

Ageing in Waves: New Insights Ageing has long been considered a slow, gradual process, but recent research from Stanford University suggests it may not be so linear. The study, published in Nature Aging, reveals that the biological shifts associated with ageing occur in waves, with significant changes around ages 44 and 60. This discovery challenges the traditional notion of steady ageing, shedding new light on how we experience it. The Stanford team studied 108 healthy individuals over two years, analyzing over 100,000 molecules. Their findings indicate that 81% of the molecules changed in at least one of these"waves" Notably, around age 44, the body's ability to metabolize alcohol and fats begins to shift, which can lead to gradual weight gain and increased sensitivity to alcohol. Then, by age 60, changes in carbohydrate metabolism and immune regulation may explain why older adults become more susceptible to illnesses like the flu and COVID-19. These findings suggest that maintaining healthy habits—mainly focusing on diet and exercise—before these age milestones could help soften the blow of ageing. For those in their 40s and 60s, this research serves as a reminder that taking proactive steps now could improve health outcomes in the future. While this study offers groundbreaking insights, some scientists caution that its sample size and geographic limitations mean more long-term research is necessary. Nevertheless, it underscores a critical shift in how we understand ageing. Instead of seeing aging as a slow and inevitable process, this research suggests we can take actionable steps to manage the effects of these""wave"" when they occur. As we move forward, these discoveries could lead to targeted interventions, helping people lead healthier, more vibrant lives well into their later years. https://lnkd.in/gFxtvuKV

It may surprise you to learn that the health and vitality of our gut microbiome profoundly affects our brains.  In fact, current research links the two, their connection called the “gut-brain axis”.  This axis is, "an intricate system of neurons, proteins, and chemicals that relay messages between the digestive system and the brain.”  It is suspected that an imbalanced microbiome leads to chronic inflammation in the brain.   The inflammatory response includes the release of cytokines, or chemical messengers of the immune system.  Cytokines, in turn, recruit more cells to help decrease inflammation, however if this process continues, unabated, damage to neurons may occur.      This article digs into the current research being conducted regarding the brain and gut connection, particularly, the connections’ effect on Alzheimer's Dementia.   https://lnkd.in/dMEADwNn

What is a biological redox switch? 🧐 With aging, and disease, it is necessary to re-focus on lifestyle measures and supplementation to restore and stabilise the redox environment. Redox signaling molecules are tiny molecules that are absorbed instantly, switching on and off adaptive responses triggering a cascading effect restoring homeostasis (balance) and overall wellness. The body has amazing mechanisms in place to regulate its biology and processes. One that has come to light in recent years is the principle of redox sensitive mechanisms that detect and interpret biological ‘status’, and which initiate adaptive responses within cellular functions. These mechanisms are often described as “redox switches.” Notwithstanding that the principles of redox biology are “older than dirt” (literally), it has only been a short time that research has identified and explained the pivotal role which redox signaling plays in health and disease. Slowing down premature aging and improving health is a function of enhancing the level of signaling function in the body. Science now understands how cells and biological systems detect and respond to changing conditions in their environment and their biochemical status. Cellular redox signaling affects the entire cellular redox environment and is the mechanism of action for the multitude of redox-sensitive switches that identify and turn on and off pathway genes that control how our DNA operates. From a health perspective, cellular dysfunction (and disease) happens when this signaling becomes altered or diminished – a natural consequence of disease and aging. By improving the ability of redox switches to function properly, it is now possible to counterbalance oxidative stress, inflammation, and to guarantee cellular survival in oxidative conditions, keeping our bodies in optimal health.

Scientists find humans age dramatically in two bursts – at 44, then 60 - 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. “We’re not just changing gradually over time. There are some really dramatic changes,” The research tracked 108 volunteers, who submitted blood and stool samples and skin, oral and nasal swabs every few months for between one and nearly seven years. Researchers assessed 135,000 different molecules (RNA, proteins and metabolites) and microbes (the bacteria, viruses and fungi living in the guts and on the skin of the participants). The abundance of most molecules and microbes did not shift in a gradual, chronological fashion. When the scientists looked for clusters of molecules with the largest shifts, they found these transformations tended to occur when people were in their mid-40s and early 60s. The first wave of changes included molecules linked to cardiovascular disease and the ability to metabolise caffeine, alcohol and lipids. The second wave of changes included molecules involved in immune regulation, carbohydrate metabolism and kidney function. Molecules linked to skin and muscle ageing changed at both time points. Previous research suggested that a later spike in ageing may occur around the age of 78, but the latest study could not confirm this because the oldest participants were 75. The pattern fits with previous evidence that the risk of many age-related diseases does not increase incrementally, with Alzheimer’s and cardiovascular disease risk showing a steep uptick after 60. Source: Scientists find humans age dramatically in two bursts – at 44, then 60

At the mid-40s aging burst, the study showed significant changes in the levels of molecules linked to skin and muscle, cardiovascular disease and the ability to metabolize alcohol, caffeine and lipids. Then at the 60-year aging burst, researchers also found molecular shifts linked to skin and muscle, cardiovascular disease and caffeine metabolism. But there were also changes linked to immune regulation, kidney function and carbohydrate metabolism.

What is a biological redox switch? 🧐 With aging, and disease, it is necessary to re-focus on lifestyle measures and supplementation to restore and stabilise the redox environment. Redox signaling molecules are tiny molecules that are absorbed instantly, switching on and off adaptive responses triggering a cascading effect restoring homeostasis (balance) and overall wellness. The body has amazing mechanisms in place to regulate its biology and processes. One that has come to light in recent years is the principle of redox sensitive mechanisms that detect and interpret biological ‘status’, and which initiate adaptive responses within cellular functions. These mechanisms are often described as “redox switches.” Notwithstanding that the principles of redox biology are “older than dirt” (literally), it has only been a short time that research has identified and explained the pivotal role which redox signaling plays in health and disease. Slowing down premature aging and improving health is a function of enhancing the level of signaling function in the body. Science now understands how cells and biological systems detect and respond to changing conditions in their environment and their biochemical status. Cellular redox signaling affects the entire cellular redox environment and is the mechanism of action for the multitude of redox-sensitive switches that identify and turn on and off pathway genes that control how our DNA operates. From a health perspective, cellular dysfunction (and disease) happens when this signaling becomes altered or diminished – a natural consequence of disease and aging. By improving the ability of redox switches to function properly, it is now possible to counterbalance oxidative stress, inflammation, and to guarantee cellular survival in oxidative conditions, keeping our bodies in optimal health.

What is a biological redox switch? 🧐 With aging, and disease, it is necessary to re-focus on lifestyle measures and supplementation to restore and stabilise the redox environment. Redox signaling molecules are tiny molecules that are absorbed instantly, switching on and off adaptive responses triggering a cascading effect restoring homeostasis (balance) and overall wellness. The body has amazing mechanisms in place to regulate its biology and processes. One that has come to light in recent years is the principle of redox sensitive mechanisms that detect and interpret biological ‘status’, and which initiate adaptive responses within cellular functions. These mechanisms are often described as “redox switches.” Notwithstanding that the principles of redox biology are “older than dirt” (literally), it has only been a short time that research has identified and explained the pivotal role which redox signaling plays in health and disease. Slowing down premature aging and improving health is a function of enhancing the level of signaling function in the body. Science now understands how cells and biological systems detect and respond to changing conditions in their environment and their biochemical status. Cellular redox signaling affects the entire cellular redox environment and is the mechanism of action for the multitude of redox-sensitive switches that identify and turn on and off pathway genes that control how our DNA operates. From a health perspective, cellular dysfunction (and disease) happens when this signaling becomes altered or diminished – a natural consequence of disease and aging. By improving the ability of redox switches to function properly, it is now possible to counterbalance oxidative stress, inflammation, and to guarantee cellular survival in oxidative conditions, keeping our bodies in optimal health.

This article from The Guardian offers an insight into a study conducted by researchers at Stanford University (USA) and Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) published in the journal Nature Aging (Shen, X., Wang, C., Zhou, X. et al. Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging. Nat Aging (2024)). The study followed 108 volunteers aged between 25 years and 75 years over nearly seven years, examining various molecules (such as RNA, proteins, and metabolites) and microbes (including intestinal and skin bacteria, viruses, and fungi) at regular intervals. The results suggest that aging does not occur continuously in a linear pattern but accelerates during two key periods in life: the mid-40s and early 60s. The first wave of changes involved molecules associated with cardiovascular disease and the metabolism of caffeine, alcohol, and lipids. The second wave involved molecules related to immune system regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, and kidney function, with accelerated senile changes in skin and muscles occurring at both periods. These two periods could be ideal times for planning and implementing personal preventive or interventional programs such as exercise and dietary modifications.

I knew it! Around age 45, I felt like my body was suddenly becoming more fragile. 😱 According to an article in Nature Aging on August 14th, 2024 by the prolific Michael Snyder and his team at Stanford University (Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging, Open Access!: https://lnkd.in/gnVsgQcT), two major shifts in our internal make up take place over the lifetime: molecules and microbiomes exhibit dramatic changes in nature and numbers in the mid-40s and early 60s, independent of gender. "In people in their 40s, significant changes were seen in the number of molecules related to alcohol, caffeine and lipid metabolism; cardiovascular disease; and skin and muscle. In those in their 60s, changes were related to carbohydrate and caffeine metabolism, immune regulation, kidney function, cardiovascular disease, and skin and muscle." (https://lnkd.in/gUjVVfv4). Given my experience with my mid-40s, I am not looking forward to my early 60s. Or it might be a good time to adjust lifestyle.

Could the key to combating Alzheimer's be hiding in our fruit bowls? Recent findings have sparked an intriguing conversation in the realm of nutritional science and its profound impact on brain health. A groundbreaking study has unveiled that a compound present in pomegranates, along with strawberries and walnuts, could rejuvenate the brain's capacity to purge itself of detrimental cells - a significant breakthrough for Alzheimer's research. This isn't just about adding a splash of colour to our plates; it's about reimagining the future of preventive health strategies and the power of our daily diet. The implications for healthcare, especially in tackling such a pervasive and devastating disease, are monumental. Imagine, a natural approach to safeguarding our cognitive function, rooted in the very essence of what we consume. As we delve deeper into the synergies between diet and health, this research not only underscores the potential of nature's bounty in disease prevention but also aligns perfectly with our pursuit of sustainable, health-promoting food sources. The conversation around Alzheimer's prevention is evolving, and with it, our understanding of the role nutrition plays in maintaining cognitive health. Let's embrace this moment as a catalyst for change, rethinking how the simplest choices on our plates can lead to a profound impact on our health and wellbeing. For a deeper dive into this fascinating study and its implications, explore the full article [here](https://lnkd.in/ef9pnShF). Embracing the confluence of nutrition, health, and sustainability might just be the breakthrough approach we need in combating Alzheimer's disease. Check this out: https://lnkd.in/ef9pnShF