Science says the body starts aging past 45, but can you slow it in its tracks?

For decades, aging has been viewed as a slow, steady decline, marked by wrinkles, greying hair, and aching joints. But new science is challenging that familiar timeline. A study published in Cell suggests that the body doesn’t age in a straight line—it hits an “inflection point,” with the most dramatic changes occurring between ages 45 and 55.

This shift raises a big question: If the body begins aging faster around midlife, is there a way to slow the process?

The midlife turning point
Researchers analyzed blood and tissue samples from 76 organ donors aged 14 to 68, all of whom had died from accidental traumatic brain injury. The team catalogued proteins across key systems—cardiovascular, immune, digestive, endocrine, respiratory, skin, and muscular—and matched the findings with disease-linked genes.

The results were striking. Between 45 and 55, tissues across the body showed accelerated aging, with the aorta, pancreas, and spleen undergoing the most drastic changes. According to the study, this makes blood vessels particularly vulnerable to early decline.

John Fudyma, MD, clinical associate professor at the University at Buffalo, told Women’s Health that this “aging inflection” is marked by a decline in key proteins essential for cellular function. “We don’t really understand if it’s genetic, inflammatory…we don’t know why this seems to happen around age 50,” he explained.

What triggers the shift?
Experts suggest a combination of biology and lifestyle. Hormonal changes play a role, especially around the age of 50. Melissa Batchelor, PhD, from George Washington University, noted, “Your muscle mass declines, your metabolism declines—but all of that is part of the natural aging process.”

But lifestyle is equally crucial. “There are two really important things that people have to understand about aging,” said Bert Mandelbaum, MD, co-director of the Regenerative Orthobiologic Center at Cedars-Sinai. “One is genomics—what are your genes?—and the other part is what you do to those genes.”

Can you slow it down?
The research underscores one important message: while you can’t stop aging, you can influence how well you age. Experts stress that small, consistent habits matter more than quick fixes.

• Sleep well: Aim for at least seven hours of rest.
• Stay active: Avoid prolonged sitting; regular movement supports longevity.
• Build strength: Incorporate resistance training to offset hormonal shifts.
• Eat clean: Focus on whole, minimally processed foods.
• Manage stress: Mental well-being is as critical as physical health.

“Aging well isn’t as much of a crapshoot as people think,” said Batchelor. “It’s really about having small, healthy habits that you build into your daily life.”

Science may have found the body’s biological “midlife marker,” but experts say decline is not inevitable. As Mandelbaum put it, “You are what you eat, drink, think, and do.” A comprehensive approach to health—rather than obsessing over one or two fixes—could help delay the steep slide that begins in your late forties.

If aging speeds up after 45, the choices you make today might just determine how gracefully you navigate the decades ahead.