How some people can age three times faster than others

A DETAILED study of biological ageing has revealed for the first time that some people grow older three times faster than their birthdays suggest.

But scientists also found time appeared to stand still for some individuals due to a combination of genes or environmental influences.

Researchers who examined a group of around 1,000 38-yearolds found their biological ages ranged from 28 to 61.

Tests were carried out using 18 key biomarkers when participants were 26, 32 and 38 to gauge the speed each individual was ageing.

While the signs of age are obvious in the eyes and joints, internal organs also age, but sooner.

Tests included examining lung capacity which decreases with age, measuring kidney efficiency by analysing urine to see what elements it contained, looking at metabolic and immune systems, and assessing metabolism, cholesterol, heart health, lung function and the length of telomeres – protective caps on the ends of chromosomes.

Researchers also looked at the condition of tiny capillaries at the back of the eye, providing a glimpse of the state of blood vessels in the brain.

Lead scientist assistant professor Dan Belsky, from the centre for the study of ageing at Duke University in North Carolina, said: “We set out to measure ageing in these relatively young people.

“Most studies of ageing look at seniors, but if we want to be able to prevent age-related disease, we’re going to have to start studying ageing in young people.

“As we get older, our risk grows for all kinds of different diseases. To prevent multiple diseases simultaneously, ageing itself has to be the target. Otherwise, it’s a game of whacka-mole.”

Participants had been enrolled in the Dunedin study, a major investigation tracking the health of around 1,000 people born in the New Zealand town in 1972-73. Of the original group, 30 had died by the age of 38 due to serious diseases and other causes such as cancer, accidents, suicides and drug overdoses.

For most participants, chronological age and biological age kept at roughly the same pace.

But around 10 were found to have bodies ageing as fast as three years per chronological year, while approximately the same number aged at zero years per year – effectively, not getting older at all biologically.

If a 38-year-old had a biological age of 40, this implied an ageing rate of 1.2 years per year over the 12-year study period.

The findings are published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Participants with more advanced biological ageing also scored worse in tests of balance, co-ordination and solving unfamiliar problems typically given to people over 60.

In addition, biologically older individuals reported more difficulty undertaking physical tasks such as walking up stairs. And their faces seemed older, according to college students who rated their photos.

The scientists wrote: “Already, before mid-life, individuals who were ageing more rapidly were less physically able, showed cognitive decline and brain ageing, self-reported worse health, and looked older.”

They stress the ageing process is not all genetic with studies of twins showing about 20 per cent of ageing is attributable to genes.

Co-author Professor Terrie Moffitt said: “It gives us hope that medicine might be able to slow ageing and give people more healthy and active years.”

“To stop multiple diseases, ageing itself has to be the target” Dan Belsky, assistant professor