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Humans can age in four different ways, a study suggests.
Scientists from the Stanford University School of Medicine found that humans age depending on the series of molecular reactions, or biological pathways, they are predisposed to. The researchers focused on four main aging categories, which the scientists named “ageotypes.” These include metabolic, immune, hepatic, and nephrotic.
Michael Snyder, one of the study’s authors, said that metabolic agers have higher chances of developing type 2 diabetes, while immune agers may be at risk of diseases affecting the immune system. Meanwhile, hepatic and nephrotic agers may be susceptible to liver and kidney diseases, respectively. The researchers believe it is possible for people to be predisposed to two or more ageotypes.
For the study, the researchers gathered data from 43 male and female participants aged 34 to 68. During a two-year period, the team examined the participants’ blood, stool, and other biological samples to monitor the molecular changes taking place in each subject’s body.
According to the researchers, ageotypes can be useful in the identification and prevention of health problems people are highly likely to develop as they age. The findings can also be helpful in coming up with methods to slow down aging.
The researchers would like to extend their study by involving more participants and measurements. They also mentioned that this study is a stepping-stone that can help people understand the nature of aging, and they would like to obtain more pieces of evidence to answer all their questions. In the future, the researchers think that other ageotypes, such as those related to the heart or brain, can be discovered.