Is age just a number? That’s the reigning belief.

All of us want to live long, healthy lives. But how can we check how we're doing?

There's a quick and easy way! Biological age can give us great insight into how well our body is aging and how many healthy years we have before us.

But what is biological age? And how is it determined? Let’s explore!

Chronological Vs. Biological Age
We hear of chronological and biological age, but they can differ. Your chronological age refers to the number of years you’ve been alive. Your biological age is the age of your body's cells, tissue, and organs.

If you’re healthy and fit, your biological age could be lower than your chronological age. However, if you’re sedentary and/or chronically ill, your biological age may be higher.

Biological age indicates the amount of damage and aging in your body. It also serves as a predictor for the onset of illness and your life expectancy. For instance, biological age can predict whether you’ll develop:

• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Cancer

What Influences Aging?
A combination of factors influence how long we will live. Research suggests that genetics account for 20% to 30% of our chance of living beyond age 85. That leaves lifestyle choices and environmental factors to determine our health and life span.

Researchers have found that the external factors that influence our health and life span include:

• Sleep habits
• Water consumption
• Diet
• Regular Exercise
• Stress
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Drug abuse
• Disease exposure
• Pollution
• Toxins
• Social connectedness

We'll circle back to this shortly.

How Is Biological Age Calculated?
There are many aging calculators developed from the results of a standard blood test. They examine changes to your genetic material. But how does your genetics affect your cells?

There are two key elements in this process: Telomeres and DNA methylation.

Telomeres

Let’s take a step back for a moment. Genetics is the study of genes. Your DNA is your string of code that creates the cells in your body.

DNA strands are composed of chromosomes that carry your genetic information. At the end of each chromosome DNA strand is a telomere, which shortens with age. Individuals with shorter telomeres are prone to: Chronic illness, heart disease, and early death.

DNA Methylation
As we discussed, your genes, behaviors, and environmental factors are important to your health. Epigenetics is the study of changes to your DNA and how this impacts your health. Epigenetic mechanisms play a crucial role in regulating biological processes as diverse as:

• The progression of diseases (such as cancer)
• Development
• Learning
• Metabolism

Epigenetic changes turn your genes on or off, affecting your gene expression. This means that your diet, exercise, and environment all influence which of your genes are expressed. For instance, a gene that has influenced your immune system since birth may turn off after an illness or exposure to pollution. Thereafter, you may be predisposed to certain illnesses.

DNA Methylation and Biological Age
Delving into epigenetic changes further, they produce chemical modifications to the DNA code within your cells over time. This process is called methylation.

The problem is that DNA methylation can disrupt cell function, preventing it from performing its job. Methylation manifests as signs of aging, like joint pain, wrinkles, and gray hair.

Measuring Biological Age
DNA methylation is recognized as a reliable indicator of biological age. The most researched and precise test is Dr. Steve Horvath’s myDNAge®, which scans over 2,000 biomarkers in the human genome. These genomes are subject to epigenetic changes, which accurately determine biological age.

Results are provided in a report that includes:

• APOE: Determine copies of the APOE gene to determine your likelihood of developing age-related diseases.
• Epi-Metabolic Index: A score of your risk of developing metabolic orders.
• MTHFR: Insight on your enzyme efficiency and metabolic health.
• DNAge Index: See how your result compares to others in your age group and sex.
• DNAge History: If you’ve taken multiple myDNAge® Tests to optimize your health, your progress is tracked here.
• Improvement Plan: A personalized plan to improve your results by taking healthy lifestyle actions.

With the myDNAge® Test, you can begin your journey of revolutionizing your health with cutting-edge technology, enabling you to take control of your aging with a new perspective backed by science.

Longevity Medical Clinic Can Help
Numerous studies have been performed in recent years that detail the correlations between accelerated biological aging and various diseases, proving the importance of this new measure of your body.

At Longevity Medical, we use the leading edge myDNAge® test to accurately determine your biological age. We also offer personalized guidance to help you reverse epigenetic changes and live a long, joyful life.

Schedule your appointment today!