In 21,446–29,713 UK Biobank participants, higher birthweight was associated with younger proteomic age across 11 organ systems, with the strongest signals in intestine, esophagus, and stomach. Breastfeeding showed organ-specific associations — slower intestinal and adrenal aging but modestly faster thyroid aging — and combined exposure produced the most favorable multi-organ profiles. Allostatic load mediated up to 35.3% of the birthweight association, indicating that cumulative physiological burden in adulthood carries part of the early-life signal forward.
Key Points
- Higher birthweight linked to younger proteomic age in 11 organs
- Breastfeeding slowed intestinal and adrenal aging, modestly accelerated thyroid
- Allostatic load mediated up to 35% of birthweight effect
Longevity Analysis
Organ systems do not age in unison, and the divergence appears to begin before adulthood — prenatal and early postnatal nutrition leave measurable proteomic signatures in digestive, adrenal, and renal tissue decades later. The mediating role of allostatic load is the actionable part: cumulative physiological burden from chronic stress, metabolic strain, and inflammatory pressure accounts for a third of the association, which means a fixed early exposure is partially transmitted through modifiable adult conditions. Stronger associations among those with healthier behaviors and greater socioeconomic resources suggest that reducing ongoing load and sustaining supportive conditions determines how much of an early-life advantage is preserved.
Original published by Wiley Aging Cell, by Wenming Wei, Xin Qi, Bolun Cheng, Boyue Zhao, Dan He, Jingni Hui, Jin Feng, Shiqiang Cheng, Xuena Yang, Chuyu Pan, Yifan Gou, Yan Wen, Huan Liu, Yumeng Jia, Li Liu, Feng Zhang .