Aging Revealed: Two Midlife Turning Points at 44 and 60

A Stanford-led study analyzing 135,000 molecular markers in 108 people finds aging may occur at two discrete inflection points—around ages 44 and 60—where rapid changes occur in cardiovascular, immune, and metabolic pathways, with microbiome shifts closely linked to these transitions. While causality isn’t established, the results suggest midlife biology could influence disease risk and screening strategies, potentially guiding precision medicine. Limitations include a small, non-diverse sample and observational data; lifestyle factors like stress and alcohol may also play a role in these transitions.