Why do men in their fifties and early sixties age faster?
A new scientific analysis has revealed that exposure to persistent chemicals known as PFAS may accelerate biological aging in men in their fifties and early sixties, compared to other age groups.
According to data from over 300 Americans, a clear link was found between blood levels of PFAS compounds and accelerated “genetic aging” in men aged 50 to 65. Genetic aging refers to the body’s actual biological age, reflecting the health of cells and tissues, not just chronological age.
Accelerated biological aging is a risk factor for serious illnesses such as cancer, dementia, and cardiovascular disease, as well as increasing the likelihood of premature death, according to a report published by The Independent .
Why are men more affected at this stage than others?
The researchers did not identify a direct reason why this age group was more affected, but they described middle age as a “critical stage” in the aging process, where many age-related diseases begin to appear, such as metabolic disorders, heart disease, and premature tissue deterioration.
Xiangwei Li, an epidemiology professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, told CNN that the relationship between exposure to PFAS compounds and accelerated epigenetic aging “was weaker in younger men or those over 65, and less clear in women.”
He added: “We observed some correlations in women, but they were not as strong or consistent as those seen in middle-aged men.”
What are PFAS substances and why are they a cause for concern?
PFAS are known as “persistent chemicals” because they take many years to break down in the environment or within the body. More than 14,000 PFAS compounds have been produced in the United States since the 1950s.
These materials are used in the manufacture of many everyday products, such as:
- Water bottles.
- Raincoats.
- Pizza boxes.
- Tires.
- Non-stick cooking utensils.
Previous research has shown that about 98% of Americans have detectable levels of these substances in their blood.
Data from the U.S. Geological Survey also showed that at least 45% of drinking water in the United States contains detectable levels of PFAS, in addition to its presence in rainwater and water bodies.
Health effects that go beyond aging
Exposure to PFAS substances at different ages is associated with an increased risk of several health problems, including:
- Multiple types of cancer.
- Cardiovascular diseases.
- Alzheimer’s.
- High cholesterol.
- Weakened immune response to vaccines.
A study by the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California showed that communities that rely on drinking water contaminated with PFAS experienced a 33% increase in cancer rates of the digestive, endocrine, respiratory, oral, and throat systems.
Another study published in 2025 by the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York also found that these substances may affect the development of the male brain.