Top 10 Interventions That Lowered Biological Age - New Study Shows

Summary

A Yale study explored the effects of 51 interventions on epigenetic age, revealing that pharmaceuticals, particularly arthritis therapies and anti-TNF drugs, significantly lower epigenetic age by addressing inflammation. While metformin and hyperbaric oxygen therapy also showed promise, lifestyle changes like diet and exercise had minimal impact on epigenetic age despite their known health benefits. The findings highlight the complexity of aging and suggest that reducing epigenetic age does not directly correlate with increased lifespan, prompting a reevaluation of how biological age is measured and understood.

Takeaways

• 🧬 A Yale study examined the effects of 51 supplements, pharmaceuticals, and lifestyle interventions on epigenetic age scores, which are linked to biological age.
• 🔬 Epigenetic age, determined by DNA methylation, differs from chronological age and is still a developing field of research.
• 💊 The top interventions for reducing epigenetic age included arthritis therapies and anti-TNF therapies, which focus on reducing inflammation.
• 🍭 Metformin, a diabetes medication, was also shown to lower epigenetic age due to its anti-inflammatory effects.
• 🌬️ Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) was effective, particularly at high pressure, promoting healing and reducing inflammation.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Surprisingly, traditional interventions like diet and exercise had minimal effects on epigenetic age in this study, despite their known benefits for longevity.
• 🍽️ A vegan diet and green Mediterranean diet were less effective in lowering epigenetic age compared to anti-inflammatory drugs.
• 🚭 Smoking cessation significantly reduces overall mortality risk but did not rank highly for lowering epigenetic age in this analysis.
• ⚠️ Some interventions, like kidney dialysis and certain gene therapies, were found to increase epigenetic age, indicating potential complications.
• 📊 The study highlights the importance of distinguishing between biological age and inflammation status, suggesting that current measures of epigenetic age may be influenced by acute inflammation.

Q & A

What is epigenetic age and how is it measured?

Epigenetic age refers to the biological age of a person based on DNA methylation patterns, which can differ from chronological age. It is measured using various epigenetic age clocks and biomarkers.

Which interventions were found to be the most effective in reducing epigenetic age?

The most effective interventions included arthritis therapy, anti-TNF therapy, metformin, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

How does metformin contribute to reductions in epigenetic age?

Metformin is a diabetes medication that lowers blood sugar levels and has anti-inflammatory effects, which may help reduce epigenetic age.

What role does inflammation play in determining epigenetic age?

Inflammation appears to significantly influence epigenetic age scores, as the most effective interventions in the study targeted inflammatory processes.

Why did lifestyle interventions like exercise not show a significant impact on epigenetic age?

The study suggests that while exercise is beneficial for overall health and longevity, it did not lead to a measurable reduction in epigenetic age within the studied population.

What were the limitations of the findings presented in the study?

The study is a preprint and not peer-reviewed, which means the findings are not yet validated. Additionally, there may be selection bias, as many interventions were tested on individuals with chronic inflammatory diseases.

How do the findings regarding rapamycin complicate our understanding of epigenetic age?

Despite rapamycin being effective in extending lifespan in animal studies, it did not reduce epigenetic age in this analysis, suggesting that the relationship between lifespan and epigenetic markers is complex and not fully understood.

What dietary interventions were included in the study, and what were their effects on epigenetic age?

The study investigated vegan and green Mediterranean diets, but these did not significantly lower epigenetic age compared to omnivorous diets, although they often resulted in lower calorie intake.

What biomarkers correlated most strongly with epigenetic age in the study?

Key biomarkers included systatin C, hemoglobin A1c, CRP (C-reactive protein), glucose levels, and triglycerides.

What is the ultimate goal of measuring epigenetic age, according to the video?

The ultimate goal is to extend lifespan and improve healthspan, rather than solely achieving a lower biological age score.