Science Weekly Revisited: why do we age in dramatic bursts, and what can we do about it?
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Dec 23, 2025 
In this engaging conversation, Michael Snyder, a professor of genomics at Stanford, dives into the fascinating science of aging. He reveals that aging occurs in three significant bursts around ages 40, 60, and 80. Snyder discusses how metabolism and fat distribution shift in your 40s, while immunity declines in your 60s. He highlights the risks associated with aging, including stem cell loss in the 80s. To mitigate these effects, he advocates for a combo of strength training, a Mediterranean diet, and social connections.
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Aging Occurs In Bursts
- Aging is not a steady, linear decline but happens in measurable bursts around midlife.
- Michael Snyder's repeated multi-omic sampling revealed rapid systemic changes rather than continuous gradual loss.
Personal Midlife Sensitivities
- Michael Snyder recounts personal sensitivity changes as he entered his 40s, like increased caffeine sensitivity.
- He uses personal experience to illustrate the common midlife metabolic shifts observed in many people.
Midlife Metabolic Shift
- A pronounced midlife burst centers near the mid-40s with shifts in metabolism and body composition.
- Changes include skin and muscle loss, altered caffeine/alcohol processing, and increased visceral fat.