Research reveals men and women experience aging at different rates

Scientists from Chinese research institutions analyzed health data from more than 104,000 adults between ages 18 and 98, examining 172 common health markers including weight, cholesterol and blood sugar levels. They identified distinct patterns in how men and women age biologically. Men showed the most significant changes between ages 35 and 45, with notable increases in body mass index, triglycerides and cholesterol. Women experienced their major shift between ages 55 and 65, coinciding with menopause, when hormonal changes led to rising fat and cholesterol levels. Despite these different timelines, the physical differences between the sexes narrowed as people grew older. The researchers found that certain blood substances, including glucose, lipids, uric acid and tumor markers, accumulate with age and contribute to faster biological aging. Laboratory tests showed these substances cause human blood vessel cells to show signs of aging. The study offered some hope, however, suggesting certain aging effects might be reversible. A diabetes drug called metformin protected cells from aging damage caused by high glucose, and mice switched from high-fat diets to normal diets showed improvements in liver aging. Researchers concluded that reducing metabolic stress through diet changes and blood glucose control could slow aging, and emphasized the importance of tailoring health assessments and treatments based on sex.