He’s fast 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 tearing you down, your bones start wearing away, you stand differently,” Hanks, 68, said.

“I think I’m in better shape now. You know why? Because my kids are grown, I exercise properly and I can eat right. You can’t do that when you’re 35 – life is such a burden.’

Although there has been little scientific research on the effects of reaching 35, experts say Tom Hanks is out of the woods.

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

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

“But epidemiological data tell us that the incidence of many age-related diseases and disabilities begins to kick in about 10 to 15 years later. This may be the time in life when many people begin to realize some of the symptoms that Tom described.’

Tom Hanks, 68, has described 35 as the hardest age, adding: “Your metabolism stops, gravity starts to tear you down, your bones start to wear, you stand differently”

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

“Some scientists argue that biological aging, at least in some parts of our body, can begin before birth,” he said.

“Others say it only kicks in when sexual maturity is reached.”

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

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

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

Professor Hoffmann said it “cannot be ruled out that there are further aging waves”, such as one in the mid-30s that Hanks suggests.

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

New data suggest that aging occurs in waves. But there is much debate about when exactly the biological aging process begins (file image)

‘You can think of aging as a linear decline in physiological function; however, more 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 ring true for many 35-year-olds who have felt the effects of exhaustion and a slower metabolism, making it easier to gain weight.

One commenter on X (Twitter) said: ‘I feel the same way at 35. Couldn’t agree more.

They added: “It is an age where significant responsibilities such as raising a family, career pressures and financial commitments are often juggled, leaving little room for personal health and self-care.”

Someone else wrote: “Tom Hanks thinks you wear out at 35. I can do more push-ups in my 50s than I could at 35.”

However, another X user described 35 as “the best age”, adding: “I was two sizes smaller, had absolutely no pain, a lot more money and was generally happier.

Hanks at 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 69 now, retired, two sizes bigger, single, physically falling apart. Developed knee problems and carpal tunnel all within a year.’

Claire Smith, professor of anatomy at Brighton & Sussex Medical School, says “many individual factors contribute to how a person feels about their health”.

“Our bodies are complex systems and normal damage or mistakes occur in our body cells,” she told MailOnline.

“When we’re younger, our bodies are more capable of repairing them, but over time the damage and ability to repair increases and that’s what we then see as signs of aging.”

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

“It could be argued that the changes in growth and development during the first years of life are possibly just as demanding on the body, but we were simply not aware of them.”