How Can We Determine Our Biological Age Beyond What's on Our ID?
Thanks to advancements in cellular and molecular biology, we now have new biomarkers based on various aging indicators that allow us to determine our biological age. Let's explore some of them.
Every birthday, candles light up the cake, marking the years since our birth. But do they really reflect how our body ages? The number of candles only represents the years we've lived, which we know as chronological age. This figure provides little information about the effects of time on our body, as the progressive decline of physical and mental capacities varies from person to person. Two individuals born at the same time can age at different rates and develop age-related diseases at different speeds.
Considering this, perhaps we should base the concept of "age" not on the time elapsed since birth, but on the functional state of our organs compared to a standardized model. This is what we call biological age. Determining it, beyond the candles we blow out on our birthday, poses a true challenge.
Beyond Appearances
Since the influence of aging extends to almost all biological processes, numerous biomarkers have been proposed to measure this parameter. Some, used for a long time, are based on visible characteristics we all know: the appearance of gray hair, hair loss, decline in cognitive functions, loss of vision and hearing, mobility difficulties, muscle atrophy, and the presence of wrinkles.
However, other indicators obtained through medical tests offer a more comprehensive view of our true biological age. These include blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and cholesterol levels, kidney function indicators like creatinine and albumin levels, and lung capacity, among others.
New Molecular Biomarkers
Recently, thanks to advancements in cellular and molecular biology, we've added new biomarkers based on different aging indicators. One of the most well-known is telomere length, the terminal structures of our chromosomes that shorten over time. Another well-known molecular indicator is DNA methylation, a form of epigenetic modification that can interfere with cell functions.
Exploring Biological Age through the Epigenetic Clock
Methylation – the addition of chemical groups called methyl groups to DNA – provides a fascinating window into understanding our biological age. As we age, this process generally decreases, increasing the risk of activating genes related to deterioration and loss of function.
Knowing the degree and location of DNA methylation can serve as a tool to estimate the decay of our organism. Molecular analyses that quantify methylation levels using mathematical formulas are known as epigenetic clocks.
In 2013, researcher Steve Horvath introduced an innovative epigenetic clock capable of accurately predicting biological age in different tissues. It is based on studying the methylation of 353 specific positions in human DNA, called CpG sites. Since then, various researchers have developed similar clocks, offering slightly different perspectives.
In 2018, Morgan Levine, Horvath, and other scientists introduced DNAm PhenoAge, a new tool that not only considers methylation patterns but also other signals like blood glucose levels and markers of liver and kidney function. This innovation aims to predict health deterioration and the onset of age-related diseases. Another notable clock developed by Horvath and colleagues, GrimAge, goes further by predicting not only biological age but also lifespan.
Today, several companies – such as Tally Health, Elysium Health, and MyDNAge – market tests based on these tools that promise to determine our degree of organic decay from simple samples of blood, urine, or buccal swabs.
Can We Turn Back the Clock?
Unlike mutations, epigenetic modifications are potentially reversible. There is evidence that biological age can increase under stress and later return to original levels, indicating it is modifiable. So, is it possible to adjust our epigenetic clock to control the pace of aging?
Both in animal models and humans, it has been shown that biological age can be influenced by the presence of diseases, drug treatments, lifestyle choices, and exposure to different environmental conditions, among other factors. These findings suggest that healthy habits, such as regular physical exercise, a balanced diet, and effective stress management, could indeed help keep our biological clock in check.
Healthy Habits and the Biological Clock
According to David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School, “Biological age determines our health and, ultimately, our lifespan. It's the number of candles we should be blowing out. In the future, with advancements in our ability to control biological age, we might have fewer candles on the cake than the year before.”
However, there is still a long way to go and many unanswered questions in this fascinating field of research.
For those looking to take proactive steps towards a healthier, longer life, explore our Anti-Aging and Longevity Plan and AntiAge Bundle for comprehensive solutions.