Is 35 really the hardest age? Scientists say Tom Hanks’ claims are WRONG – as they reveal which year is actually the trickiest

He’s quickly approaching 70, but Tom Hanks claims he’s already experienced his worst year ever.

The Hollywood actor told Entertainment Tonight that 35 is the “hardest” age.

“Your metabolism stops, gravity starts to break you down, your bones start to wear down, you stand differently,” Hanks, 68, said.

‘I think I’m in better shape now. Do you know why? Since my children are grown, I get a fair amount of exercise and can eat well. You can’t do that when you’re 35, life is such a burden.’

Although little scientific research has been done on the effects of reaching age 35, experts say Tom Hanks is wrong.

In fact, Steve Hoffmann, professor of computational biology at the Leibniz Institute for Aging in Jena, Germany, says that the most difficult age in life is actually somewhere between 45 and 50.

“I have no reason to doubt that Tom Hanks was experiencing some form of physiological impairment at the age of 35,” Professor Hoffmann told MailOnline.

‘However, epidemiological data tell us that the incidence of many age-related diseases and disabilities begins about ten to fifteen years later. This may be the time of life when many people begin to realize some of the symptoms Tom described.”

Professor Hoffmann adds that there is much debate about when exactly the biological aging process begins.

“Some researchers argue that biological aging, at least in some parts of our bodies, could begin before birth,” he said.

‘Others say it only takes effect once sexual maturity has been reached.’

Earlier this year, a study identified two significant waves of sudden age-related changes in people.

The team of authors, led by Dr. Michael Snyder of Stanford University, analyzed samples from 108 healthy people between the ages of 25 and 75.

They found that age-related changes, including slowing metabolism and increased susceptibility to disease, showed significant peaks at both 44 and 60 years.

Professor Hoffmann said it “cannot be ruled out that there are further waves of aging” such as the one in the mid-1930s, as Hanks suggests.

“There is some debate about the course of the aging process,” says the academic reported similar processes in mice this year.

Recent data suggests that aging occurs in waves. But there is much debate about when exactly the biological aging process begins (file photo)

‘You can think of aging as a linear decline in physiological function; However, recent data suggest that aging can also occur in waves.”

Professor Hoffmann emphasizes that aging is ‘a highly individual process influenced by many factors’, such as genetics, stress levels, food and smoking.

Tom Hanks turned 35 in 1991 – three years after his breakthrough role in “Big,” but before filming began on blockbusters like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “Philadelphia.”

The actor’s comments apply to many 35-year-olds who have felt the effects of exhaustion and a slowed metabolism, which makes it easier to gain weight.

A commenter on X (Twitter) said: ‘I feel the same way at 35. I completely agree.

They added: ‘It’s a time when you’re often juggling important responsibilities, such as raising a family, career pressures and financial obligations, that leave little room for personal health and self-care.’

Someone else posted: ‘Tom Hanks thinks you’re worn out at 35. I can do more push-ups when I’m 50 than when I was 35.’

However, another

Hanks at age 35: The actor is pictured here on June 30, 1992 at 7030 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California

The Hollywood actor, who portrays himself at different ages in his latest film ‘Here,’ told Entertainment Tonight that 35 is the ‘hardest’

‘I’m now 69, retired, two sizes bigger, single, physically crumbling. Developed knee problems and carpal tunnel within a year.’

Claire Smith, professor of anatomy at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, says ‘many individual factors contribute to how someone feels about their health’.

‘Our bodies are complex systems and normal damage or errors occur in our body cells,’ she told MailOnline.

‘When we are younger our bodies are better able to repair them, but over time the damage and repair capacity accumulates and these are what we then see as the signs of aging.’

Professor Smith agreed that exactly how the body responds is partly related to genetics and partly to factors in our lives, such as diet.

‘You could argue that the changes in growth and development in the first years of life may be just as demanding on the body, but we were simply not aware of it.’