_edited.jpg)
Aging and Its Impact on Health
Traditionally, aging has been viewed as a natural process rather than a disease. However, aging results in an accumulated decline in cognitive and physical functions, often manifesting as well-known health conditions such as cancer or heart disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), aging is the primary risk factor for nearly all chronic illnesses, with its impact on mortality surpassing other factors like smoking or obesity.
Proponents of classifying aging as a disease argue that it represents a root biological dysfunction. Many chronic diseases stem from the cellular deterioration associated with aging, positioning aging as a driver of disease rather than merely a backdrop.
In 2018, the WHO revised its International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) to include the term “old age” under certain health-related conditions. Some interpret this as a step toward recognizing aging within medical contexts, opening doors for research and therapies that directly target aging. This shift aims to address aging-related processes before they lead to secondary illnesses. Despite these developments, the classification of aging as a disease remains a topic of debate within medical and scientific communities.
Regardless of its designation, aging clearly contributes to the onset of numerous illnesses. This underscores the importance of quantifying aging, particularly at the molecular level, to better understand and mitigate its effects.
What is Biological Aging?
Aging is the gradual accumulation of molecular and cellular damage, affecting multi-omic processes throughout the body.
This decline manifests in visible and health-related phenotypic expressions of age, such as wrinkles, gray hair, and limited physical mobility.
However, these external signs are merely reflections of more complex biological processes occurring within the body, down to the DNA level.
The reason we look and feel different from others born in the same year lies in our unique biological "mileage."
Evidence for Reversing Biological Age
Reversing biological age is an area of active scientific research. While chronological age cannot be changed, growing evidence suggests biological age can be reduced through lifestyle changes, targeted interventions, and therapies.
Epigenetic Therapies
The 2019 TRIIM Trial demonstrated that a combination of growth hormone, metformin, and DHEA reduced participants' biological age by an average of 2.5 years in one year, as measured by DNA methylation clocks.
Supplements such as NAD+ precursors (e.g., NMN or NR) show potential to support cellular repair and rejuvenation.
Advanced Therapeutics
Senolytics, drugs that clear senescent cells, are under development to address cellular damage and improve aging biomarkers.
Emerging gene therapies aim to target underlying mechanisms of aging directly.
Environmental and Lifestyle Adjustments
Reducing exposure to toxins and adopting holistic health practices can positively influence epigenetic aging markers.
Personalized nutrition based on individual genetic and metabolic blueprints shows promise in lowering biological age markers.
Regular physical activity, especially high-intensity interval training (HIIT), improves mitochondrial function and slows biological aging.
Sleep quality and stress management techniques, such as mindfulness, contribute to improved biological age metrics.
While research continues to advance, emerging approaches demonstrate the potential to modulate biological aging through interventions and healthy practices. However, to determine if adopted habits and therapies are effectively reversing biological age, consistent tracking of results is essential. So, how do we measure biological age?
Epigenetics is the Best Measurement of the Biological Age
Just as weight is measured in kilograms and distance in meters, biological aging requires its own unit of measurement—though no single metric suffices. Aging is incredibly complex and cannot be captured by one diagnostic tool alone. To quantify biological aging accurately, scientists analyze an accumulation of multi-omic snapshots to form a comprehensive picture.
Telomere length, once considered a key biomarker for biological age, is now less effective than epigenetics in predicting age-related diseases. It has several limitations:
Results can vary based on cell type.
It provides weak hazard ratios for predicting disease.
Correlation with age is poor.
Different testing methods (qPCR vs. FISH) yield inconsistent results.
Reliability is limited, with Intraclass Correlation Coefficients (ICCs) between 0.6 and 0.8.
Epigenetics has emerged as the most robust biomarker for assessing age-related health outcomes. It is the most predictive of aging and disease compared to other measures, making it essential for accurate biological age calculations to guide preventative treatments.
Broadly speaking, methylation is neither inherently good nor bad for health, as every gene has a specific function that might need to be activated or suppressed based on individual circumstances. For instance, increased methylation that "turns off" oncogenes might be beneficial, while the same process affecting tumor suppressor genes might be detrimental. Of the 28 million+ locations in the human genome, up to 80% are methylated to varying degrees. As we age, methylation patterns shift, allowing researchers to link these changes to specific ages and age-related health outcomes.
For example, if 2,000 patients exhibit methylation at a particular DNA site and 1,999 of them develop Alzheimer’s, this methylation pattern becomes a powerful predictor of Alzheimer's risk.
Why Epigenetics Stands Out:
Predictive Power: DNA methylation clocks accurately estimate biological age and link it to risks of diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders.
Reversibility: Epigenetic changes respond to lifestyle and environmental factors, making them actionable for anti-aging strategies.
Comprehensive Data: Epigenetics captures multiple biological processes, offering a holistic aging measure beyond single-factor methods like telomeres.
Understanding Clocks & Algorithms
An age clock determines biological age without using a birth date. Scientists began developing mathematical formulas, or clocks, in the early 2010s to quantify the aging processes in the human body. These "epigenetic aging clocks" have evolved significantly, much like the progression from the first-generation iPhone to today's smartphones.
First-generation clocks (e.g., Horvath Clock, Hannum Clock) marked a breakthrough in aging research. Modern second- and third-generation clocks, such as TruDiagnostic’s OMICm Age (biological age calculator) and DunedinPACE (biological pace of aging calculator), provide the most precise and predictive measurements for disease risk, aging speed, and biological age.
TruDiagnostic: The Gold Standard in Biological Aging Assessment
TruDiagnostic employs state-of-the-art DNA methylation age clocks, including advanced second- and third-generation algorithms like OMICm Age and DunedinPACE. These tools, built on cutting-edge epigenetic research, analyze over one million DNA methylation sites, providing unparalleled precision and actionable insights into biological aging and health risks.
DNA methylation, a process where methyl groups attach to DNA to regulate gene expression, is a proven biomarker for biological age, supported by over 1,500 validation studies. TruDiagnostic sets itself apart by utilizing six peer-reviewed, published algorithms—none of which are used by competing laboratories—ensuring the most accurate results.
This epigenetic testing delivers robust correlations with health outcomes, validated hazard ratios, and strong predictive power for disease risk and mortality. Moreover, the results are actionable, enabling individuals to implement evidence-based lifestyle and medical interventions to slow or reverse biological aging.
With high ICC values, comprehensive multi-omic analysis, and groundbreaking precision, TruDiagnostic redefines personalized preventative care, making it an essential tool for researchers, clinicians, and health-conscious individuals aiming to optimize longevity and well-being.
TruDiagnostic's TruAge is the #1 Biological Age Test Available
Discover how old your body is at the cellular level, your speed of aging, and the age of 11 key organ systems like the brain, heart, and liver.
TruAge measures 75+ longevity biomarkers to provide personalized insights for living longer and feeling healthier.
No prescription or lab bloodwork needed. Delivered directly to your door!
🧬 Discover Your Biological Age. Take advantage of the special offer on a TruAge test by TruDiagnostic for our community by using the promo code UltimateWellness at checkout: https://www.trudiagnostic.com
✨We are excited to have TruDiagnostic as a partner for our annual Ultimate Wellness Conference, which will take place once again at the iconic Faena Forum in Miami Beach on September 26–28, 2025.
💫Become part of the Ultimate Wellness tribe to advance your Holistic Health Journey. Reserve your Guest Ticket now: https://www.ultimatewellness.miami/forum
Sending Optimal Health & Ultimate Wellness,
Julia Smila - FDN Practitioner & Pranic Healer.
Commentaires