Secrets of Healthy Ageing: New Insights from Blood Protein Analysis

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Ageing is a natural process, but how we age can vary greatly. Scientists are constantly looking for ways to understand this process better, and new research into our blood proteins is revealing some fascinating clues.


What are these proteins and why do they matter?

Our blood contains a complex mix of proteins from all over the body. These proteins can act as biomarkers, which are like signposts that indicate what’s happening inside us. By tracking changes in these proteins over time, scientists can gain a better understanding of how we age and how we can stay healthier for longer.


A long-term study

A recent study followed over 3,700 middle-aged and elderly adults for nine years. Researchers analyzed more than 7,500 blood samples, tracking the levels of various proteins. This long-term approach is important because it allows scientists to see how protein levels change with age and how these changes relate to health outcomes.


Key Findings

  • Ageing-related proteins: The study identified 86 proteins that were strongly linked to the ageing process. Some of these proteins increased with age, while others decreased.
  • Protein trajectories: The researchers identified four different patterns of protein change over time. Some proteins increased sharply, others increased slightly, some remained stable, and some declined.
  • Sex differences: Interestingly, some proteins showed different patterns of change in men and women, suggesting that ageing may affect the sexes differently. For example, some proteins were more strongly associated with age in men, while others were more strongly associated in women.
  • Health and disease: These 86 proteins were also linked to various health conditions and diseases associated with ageing. For example, changes in some proteins were associated with the development of heart and metabolic problems, like type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease.
  • Protein networks: The study also revealed how these ageing-related proteins work together in networks related to lipid metabolism, injury response, neurological health and cell signaling. This highlights how interconnected these processes are in the ageing process.
  • Predicting health: Using a machine learning approach, the scientists pinpointed 22 proteins that could be used to predict a person’s overall health status. This group of 22 proteins is called a proteomic healthy ageing score (PHAS).
  • The PHAS Score: The PHAS score was not just associated with current health; it could also predict the risk of developing heart and metabolic problems in the future. Individuals with higher scores had better health outcomes and a lower risk of chronic diseases.
  • Gut microbiota: One of the most interesting findings is that the PHAS score is influenced by the gut microbiota – the community of microbes living in our intestines. This suggests that a healthy gut is an important factor in healthy ageing.

What does this mean for us?

This research is important because it shows how our blood proteins change as we age and how these changes are linked to our health. By identifying key proteins involved in the ageing process, this study provides potential targets for developing interventions that promote healthy ageing and reduce the risk of age-related diseases.


Potential interventions

  • Monitoring health: The PHAS score could potentially be used as a tool for monitoring individuals' health and identifying those at risk of developing age-related diseases.
  • Therapeutic targets: The identification of specific proteins and pathways related to ageing and disease opens the door to the development of new drugs or therapies.
  • Gut health: The research also highlights the importance of our gut health for healthy ageing. This suggests that strategies to improve the balance of microbes in our gut could have a positive impact on overall health.
  • Zinc supplementation: Some of the identified proteins are targeted by zinc, suggesting potential benefits of zinc supplementation for promoting healthy ageing.

Further research

While these findings are promising, more research is needed to understand these processes fully. Further studies in diverse populations are needed to confirm if the results apply to everyone. The researchers have made their findings and data publicly available, to further research and validation.

This study gives us a glimpse into the complexities of human ageing and offers new possibilities for promoting healthy ageing through targeted interventions. The study also underscores the importance of a healthy gut, and the potential of blood protein analysis as a powerful tool for monitoring and predicting health during ageing.

 

Additional information: Longitudinal serum proteome mapping reveals biomarkers for healthy ageing and related cardiometabolic diseases. Nature Metabolism (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-01185-7

Journal information: https://www.nature.com/natmetab/


Location: Oxford, UK

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