Why do we age in dramatic bursts, and what can we do about it?

Science Weekly

The Guardian

Science

4.2 • 938 Ratings

🗓️ 24 July 2025

⏱️ 17 minutes

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Summary

Scientists are beginning to understand that ageing is not a simply linear process. Instead, recent research appears to show that we age in three accelerated bursts; at about 40, 60 and 80 years old. To find out what might be going on, Ian Sample hears from Prof Michael Snyder, the director of the Center for Genomics and Personalised Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, who explains what the drivers of these bursts of ageing could be, and how they might be counteracted. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/sciencepod

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1:18.1	One day you're able to run for miles, stay up late partying and eat whatever you want.
1:30.4	Then suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere,
1:36.8	your back hurts. A single drink gives you a hangover. You can't shift those last few pounds.
1:46.7	It feels like you've aged years, almost overnight. Now science is showing that that feeling could be what is happening biologically.
1:53.1	Rather than a gradual decline, researchers are finding increasing evidence that our bodies change in rapid bursts at around 40, 60 and 80. So today, why do we go through periods of dramatic ageing?
2:03.5	And is there anything we can do to prevent it?
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