Latest research suggests that a person’s place of residence can influence the pace of biological aging. Scientists attribute this to a combination of genetics, environment, metabolism, and the condition of the gut microbiome.
Place of residence can affect the speed of aging
The location where an individual lives may impact not only their lifestyle but also their body’s biological aging process. Researchers from Stanford University have discovered that geography and ethnic background are linked to immune function, metabolism, gut microbiome, and cellular aging processes.
A team of scientists from Stanford University conducted a study indicating that a person’s place of residence can significantly affect how rapidly their body ages, as reported by IFL Science.
The researchers employed a “deep profiling” technology – a multi-omics approach that enables simultaneous analysis of genes, proteins, metabolism, gut microbiota, and other molecular indicators.
The study involved 322 healthy individuals from Europe, East Asia, and South Asia. The scientists compared the metrics of people from different backgrounds residing both in their “native” continents and abroad. This allowed for a separate assessment of the influence of genetics and environment.
What the Scientists Discovered
According to co-author of the study and Professor of Genetics at Stanford University, Michael Snyder, this is the most detailed investigation of people from various parts of the world to date.
The findings revealed that some molecular characteristics are specifically linked to ethnic origin. For instance, individuals of South Asian descent exhibited higher indicators of pathogen exposure. People of European descent showed greater diversity in their gut microbiota, as well as higher levels of certain metabolites associated with cardiovascular risks.
These characteristics persisted regardless of where the study participants lived. This could suggest a notable influence of genetic background on biological processes.
How Geography Relates to Aging
The most surprising discovery was that the place of residence can be associated with a person’s biological age.
Researchers found that individuals of East Asian descent living outside of Asia displayed signs of greater biological age compared to those who remained in Asia. Conversely, people of European descent showed an opposite trend: they appeared biologically younger when living outside of Europe.
Scientists emphasize that this does not imply a direct and universally applicable pattern. It points to a complex interplay of genetics, environment, lifestyle, diet, microbiome, and other factors.
The Gut May Also Be Linked to Aging
The team also uncovered a previously unknown connection between the telomerase gene, involved in cellular aging processes, a specific gut microbe, and the lipid molecule sphingomyelin.
This may indicate a potential mechanism through which gut bacteria can influence the rate of cellular aging. However, further research is needed to confirm this association.
Why This is Important for Medicine
Scientists believe the study’s results could contribute to the advancement of personalized medicine. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, doctors may in the future be able to more accurately consider not only a patient’s age and health status but also their origin, place of residence, microbiome, and metabolic specificities.
Co-author of the study, Professor Richard Unwin from the University of Manchester, noted that human biology is shaped by the combination of genetic background and the environment in which one lives.
According to him, place of residence can significantly influence key molecular processes, including how cells age. This is precisely why personalized medicine should account for the real global diversity of people, rather than relying solely on data from a single population.
It is reminded that scientists from the Karolinska Institute (Sweden) have determined the exact age at which human physical capabilities begin to decline. Details of this unique 47-year study are provided.
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