Biological age is a term used to describe the aging process in your cells and tissues. It’s often considered to be more accurate than your chronological age.
Genetics, lifestyle habits and aging-related cellular changes determine biological age. It can be lowered by modifying diet, exercise and sleep patterns.
What is Biological Age?
Biological Age is a significant health indicator that reveals more about your well-being than your chronological Age. It shows how your body functions compared to others of a similar age.
Unlike your chronological age, which is how old you are in years, your biological age can reveal your body’s health status and how fast it’s aging. This information helps assess how to calculate your biological age, learn how healthy or unhealthier you are and helps to determine the best possible treatment options.
Researchers have developed several tools to predict your biological age reliably. These tools use a variety of biomarkers to give you a more accurate assessment of your age.
Scientists are also exploring ways to use biological age indicators to help prevent aging-related diseases. For example, they’ve found that consuming high-quality foods like fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, and legumes can reduce your risk of developing age-related illnesses.
Another way to improve your health is to avoid toxins and pollutants that can increase your risk of aging-related illnesses. For example, smoking cigarettes can raise your risk of cancer and heart disease.
Finally, reducing your stress level is an effective way to improve your overall health. Chronic stress can lead to unhealthy changes in your body. At the same time, short periods of positive pressure (known as eustress) can promote better stress adaptation mechanisms and help you feel more relaxed.
How do Scientists Measure Biological Age?
Scientists can determine a person’s biological age by measuring specific DNA alterations due to aging. One of the most important measures is a blood test called DNA methylation, which can tell scientists how old your cells are.
Another measure of a person’s biological age is telomere length. This is a small structure at the end of every chromosome (except for the Y chromosome, which determines male sex characteristics).
If you have shorter telomeres than someone born the same year as you, you are biologically older than them. That’s because your chromosomes are made up of tiny structures that get shorter with chronological Age.
A person’s bio age also changes with diet, exercise, and stress levels. That’s why a doctor can use a bio-age calculator to help you identify areas where you need to make changes.
These dietary and lifestyle choices can help you slash your risk of age-related diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and dementia. They can also improve your health span — the time you have left before you start developing infections- the essential thing for your overall well-being.
Unlike your chronological Age, which is usually set by your genes, your biological Age can be changed by eating healthier, exercising more, and getting more sleep. You can also take certain medications that slow aging or increase your health span.
What Can I Do to Change My Biological Age?
Unlike your chronological Age, which is based on the number of birthdays you’ve had, your biological Age is a snapshot of how your cells, tissues and organs are functioning then. Having a healthy biological age can help you live longer and healthier and prevent many diseases that occur with Age.
Your biological age is a crucial indicator of your overall health; if it’s higher than your chronological age, you risk developing age-related diseases. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to lower your biological age and reduce your risk of infection.
Several different tests can be used to calculate your biological age. Some companies like Viome use DNA methylation to measure it, while others like Tally Health examine your saliva or blood.
Researchers have found that the foods you eat and the exercise you get can affect your biological age. Sedentary people tend to have higher biological ages, while those who exercise regularly have lower ones.
This is important because it shows that if you get the proper nutrients and exercise regularly, your biological Age can decrease. That’s good news for all of us, especially those concerned about our health.
You can do several things to improve your health and slow the rate at which your biological age changes, including getting plenty of sleep, eating nutrient-dense foods, managing stress and staying active. By implementing these strategies, you can see your biological age decline and enjoy a healthy life free of disease.
How Can I Track My Biological Age?
You’ve probably heard about the difference between your chronological and biological ages. Your chronological age is the number of birthdays you’ve checked off, whereas your biological age is how healthy you are today, not just based on when you were born.
You can use various tools to track your biological age, from an online quiz to an app that measures blood or saliva. These tests are based on a series of biomarkers that scientists believe are associated with aging, including changes in DNA and cells.
One of the most significant markers of biological Age is a build-up of dysfunctional cells called senescent or zombie cells. These cells stop reproducing, releasing molecules that cause chronic inflammation and disease.
Your senescent cells can be prevented or lowered with lifestyle upgrades that support your overall health. These include exercise, a balanced diet and stress management techniques like meditation and relaxation.
Getting your senescent cells under control will also help you improve your health span and the number of years you’re free from age-related diseases. Your healthspan is a crucial metric to keep in mind when you’re making decisions about your lifestyle.
To get your senescent cells under control, you may need to make significant changes to your lifestyle. These changes can be as simple as making better food choices or as complex as a change in your workout routine.
Leave a comment