Scientists have created a comprehensive overview of how ageing changes the human body. They studied nearly 7 million cells from 21 different organs and discovered that the ageing process begins earlier than previously thought. These changes follow a specific pattern and take place in the same way across different parts of the body.
About a quarter of the different cell types in the body change in number as we grow older. In addition, men and women sometimes show different changes. This indicates that ageing is a complicated process, involving many factors that differ by organ and by sex.
In addition, the researchers discovered certain genetic regions that play a major role in ageing. Those ‘genetic hotspots’ could be used in the future for new therapies that can slow down or alter the ageing process. This is important news for the development of treatments that enable a longer, healthy life.
For anyone interested in healthy ageing, this research offers new leads. Understanding how ageing works at the cellular level helps in developing better ways to keep the body fit and vital.
Source: Original article
