Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe

Researchers reviewed aging studies and updated a framework called the “hallmarks of aging.” These are biological changes that often appear with age and may help speed up aging. The updated framework lists 12 hallmarks, including cell damage, weakened energy production, chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis, meaning harmful changes in the microbes living in the body. It also includes disabled autophagy, the cell’s waste-recycling system. This was a review of existing research, not a test of a treatment in people.

What this means for you: This is a useful map of how aging may work, but it is not a shopping list or proof that a supplement can reverse aging. You can ignore products that claim to target one hallmark unless they have strong human trial evidence.