Hyperfunction Theory Offers a New Perspective on Why We Age

BUFFALO, NY — August 6, 2026 — A new #research perspective was #published in Volume 18 of Aging on July 24, 2026, titled “A brief history of the hyperfunction theory of aging and future directions.” The article was written by João Pedro de Magalhães from the Genomics of Ageing and Rejuvenation Lab, Department of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medicine and Health, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Rather than presenting new experimental findings, the perspective examines the historical development of the hyperfunction theory of aging, reviews evidence supporting programmatic mechanisms of aging, and discusses future directions for understanding why organisms age and how aging might eventually be modified. For decades, most aging research has been dominated by the idea that aging results primarily from the gradual accumulation of molecular damage, including DNA damage, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein deterioration. In contrast, the hyperfunction theory proposes that aging is driven largely by developmental and growth programs that continue operating beyond their beneficial period. Rather than being intentionally programmed, aging is viewed as a consequence of biological pathways that promote growth and reproduction early in life but become harmful when they continue later in adulthood. The perspective traces the historical roots of these ideas from early theories proposed in the nineteenth century through Clive McCay’s pioneering caloric restriction experiments and George Williams’ concept of antagonistic pleiotropy. Particular attention is given to the contributions of the late Mikhail Blagosklonny, whose hyperfunction theory proposed that aging results from “quasi-programs”—developmental processes that fail to switch off after their normal biological role has ended. The author argues that this framework provides a mechanistic explanation linking evolutionary theory with many biological features of aging. Full press release - https://www.aging-us.com/news-room/hyperfunction-theory-offers-a-new-perspective-on-why-we-age Paper DOI - https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.206403 Corresponding author - João Pedro de Magalhães - [email protected] Abstract video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwC6aJoUUQo Sign up for free Altmetric alerts about this article - https://aging.altmetric.com/details/email_updates?id=10.18632%2Faging.206403 Subscribe for free publication alerts from Aging - https://www.aging-us.com/subscribe-to-toc-alerts Keywords - aging, antagonistic pleiotropy, longevity, programmatic aging, quasi-program To learn more about the journal, please visit https://www.Aging-US.com​​ and connect with us on social media at: Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/aging-us.bsky.social ResearchGate - https://www.researchgate.net/journal/Aging-1945-4589 X - https://twitter.com/AgingJrnl Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AgingUS/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/agingjrnl/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/aging/ Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/user/AgingUS/ Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/AgingUS/ YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Aging-US Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/1X4HQQgegjReaf6Mozn6Mc [email protected]