As you get older, your body simply can’t regenerate like it used to. That’s because the number and activity of your stem cells — the cells responsible for repair and renewal — decline dramatically over time. By your 30s, a large portion of those stem cells are already gone, and by later decades your body’s natural ability to heal and rejuvenate slows down even more.

This decline affects how you feel and function:

• You experience more aches, pains and inflammation
• Energy, stamina and recovery after exercise drop
• Fine lines, wrinkles and hair changes become more noticeable
• Sleep quality is reduced and focus or memory isn’t as sharp
• Your body struggles to bounce back like it once did

That’s because when stem cells shrink in number and activity, your body loses its built-in maintenance system. This means slower repair, less regeneration and an overall acceleration of aging at the cellular level.