Biological Age: What It Means and How You Can Change It

Looking younger than you are has been the rage for decades. From celebrities to movie stars. The wealthy to the healthy gurus. People have looked for the latest trends in anti-aging around every corner.

The typical trends prevail as time goes on. Things like:

— Plastic surgery

— Botox & Fillers

— Skin creams

— Green Juices

— Cleanses

And the list goes on.

Looking younger has been the goal.

Up until recently, it was all people cared about. Now, the times are changing.

The days of only focusing on the outside presentation of your health are over. Through regenerative medicine and anti-aging studies, knowledge about how our bodies are aging on the inside has become more available. It’s putting a new meaning to the term ‘anti-aging’.

So let’s dig into this a bit more.

What is the Biological Age?

Biological age is the term used to describe your age based on levels of cellular destruction in your body, and your prevalence for disease and early death. This is measured through internal biomarkers, genes, and lifestyle choices. This means, you may be 25 years old, or even 45, but your body may not reflect that same number of years internally.

The idea of biological aging dates back to the early/mid-1900’s. Originally, the term was not widely adopted, nor studied in depth. As time has prevailed, the theories and science behind biological aging have grown.

According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA), biological aging is a culmination of factors. This number is related to stress, lifestyle habits, genes, and biomarkers across your lifetime. They measure cellular damage, loss of function, and even physiological changes through a series of tests.

Why is Biological Age Important?

Biological age is an important metric of your health. 

As you age, your body goes through natural changes and declining cell reproduction. Unfortunately, your body is not always aging at the same pace as the years tick by.

This is where knowing your biological age in comparison to your actual (chronological) age is important.

If you are biologically aging faster than your years, you are then putting yourself at a higher risk for adverse health outcomes.

This not only plays a role in how you look on the outside but plays a major role in how your body functions.

According to Very Well Health, “research suggests that biological age is more accurate than chronological age for predicting the onset of disease and death”.  It is now thought to tell more about your risk for neurological conditions and dementia better than chronological aging.

Now that you know how important this metric is for your health, the question is.

How Do You Test for Biological Age?

Knowing about your biological age is one thing. Testing for it and diving into your results is another.

Marina Moiseyeva, Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and founder of Harmonious Life

Family Health Clinic suggests TrueAge Diagnostics for your biological age testing needs. You can

discuss biological age testing more with your local health provider, or you can learn more about

it here.

After practicing for 15 years in the fields of Holistic, Functional, and Integrative Medicine, Dr.

Marina has cracked the code on regenerative and anti-aging health.

Through cutting-edge studies and staying up-to-date in the world of Regenerative and Anti-

Aging Medicine, Harmonious Life Wellness Center (Dr. Marina) offers world-class testing and

solutions in the realm of anti-aging. These go along with your  biological age results. Get answers for your other anti-aging factors here.

The next question is, what do you do with these results?

How You Can Change Your Biological Age.

Going through your test results may surprise you.

Recently, the Kardashian family, well known for their business empire and their TV series ‘Keeping Up With The Kardashians’, underwent biological age test. The results were openly shared with their following and were quite shocking to some. Even though the family lives similar lifestyles and shares genetics, results varied across the board.

This brings to light the effect your personalized lifestyle choices have in combination with the genetics you have been given.

If you are below, or at your chronological age, props to you! If not, don’t stress. You have time to affect these results for the better

Changing your biological age goes back to the factors we spoke of earlier.

— Stress

— Lifestyle Habits

— Genes

— Biomarkers

Some of these you can’t control — but the good news is, there are some you can.

Let’s dive deeper into the ones that make all the difference.

Stress

This may seem like a no-brainer, but stress has negative effects on much of your body’s functions when not in a fight-or-flight situation.

Stress has been linked to increased inflammation in the body, cellular destruction, and even external manifestations.

Stress, concerning biological age, is quite impactful. Studies show that biological age increases when your body is subjected to stress. If subjected to chronic, long-term stress, your body will significantly age beyond your chronological years.

Luckily for you, if short-lived, your body can recover from this and return to normal within a short period.

Along with reducing your stress, other lifestyle factors can heavily influence your body’s aging process.

Diet

Diet plays a key factor in your health processes, especially how your body ages.

Studies have shown that those who factor in more dietary considerations have a significantly lower biological age compared to their unhealthy counterparts.

Factors such as nutrient intake, protein consumption, and balance in the diet play key roles.

According to recent studies, the top 3 diets with the best anti-aging impact are as follows:

— Calorie Restricted Diet

— Mediterranean Diet

— Longevity Diet by Dr. Valter Longo (founded on vegetarian principles, containing high fiber and healthy, plant-based fats)

These 3 diets have some similarities that relate to their effectiveness. Being vegetable based, focusing on lean protein sources, balancing with healthy fats and fiber, and mindfulness behind each recipe are all things that contribute to the recipe for success.

Seems simple enough right?

Exercise

Exercise is another one that is beneficial for your body across the board. More so concerning your biological age.

As mentioned earlier, we can’t beat chronological aging. You will age every year that goes by. However, you can control how mobile your body remains through a good exercise regimen.

Highlighting a study done by Brigham Young University, Franciscan Health notes “that people who ran 30 to 40 minutes at high intensity five days a week were consistently biologically younger than those who followed more moderate exercise programs, or who led sedentary lifestyles.”

It’s no secret that the benefits of moving daily are numerous.

— Reduction in blood pressure

— Weight loss

— Reduction of cardiac-related conditions

— Reduction of stroke risk

The list goes on.

Exercise has been proven to be more impactful on your biological age than dietary changes alone.

If you take all of these factors into play, you’ll have the recipe for anti-aging and feeling great.

Now let’s run through some of the things surrounding biological age that you can’t control.

Genes

You can’t give back your genetics.

Unfortunately, genes are not a ‘pick and choose your combo’ like Chipotle. 

Luckily for you, genetics have been concluded to only account for around 20-30% of your biological age.

This means that the other 70-80% are in the realm of influence.

Through genotype (gene combination) study, some genes have been linked to the ability to decrease stress within cell bodies. Other genotypes have been linked to heightened disease outcomes.

Without diving too in-depth into the scientific jargon, you can understand that the genetics you have play a key role in how your body reacts to its environmental factors. This in turn affects your biological aging.

Now that we’ve covered the basis behind biological aging and your role in the matter, let’s dive into the specific focus of medicine driven by anti-aging principles.

Anti-aging Medicine

As mentioned, Dr. Marina Moiseyeva has made it her life mission to focus on anti-aging medicine practices. This is evident in her approach to Anti-aging Medicine and the solutions she offers.

In addition to the changes you can make in your lifestyle, there are additional solutions to aid your body in regeneration.

Oral Supplements

Oral supplements are a solid start. Easy enough to add to your daily routine, but strong enough to make an impact.

Some of the best oral supplements for anti-aging are listed below.

Lithium Orotate

This low-dose form of lithium has been suggested to have neuroprotective effects and may enhance mood and cognitive function. Some believe it contributes to longevity by supporting brain health.

Spermidine

This naturally occurring compound is linked to autophagy — the process in which cells remove damaged components. Studies suggest it may extend cell lifespan and promote cellular health.

N-acetylcysteine (NAC)

NAC is an antioxidant known to help replenish glutathione levels in the body. It may also protect against oxidative stress and has been associated with improved lung and liver function.

Quercetin

This is a flavonoid with antioxidant properties. Quercetin may help reduce inflammation and support cardiovascular health. Some studies suggest it may also have senolytic effects, potentially clearing out aging and damaged cells.

Himalayan Tartary Buckwheat

Rich in antioxidants and nutrients, this grain is believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and support cardiovascular health, thus contributing to longevity.

Treatments and Therapies

Alongside oral supplements, there are also options available to complement your anti-aging efforts.

NAD Intravenous Treatments

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) is crucial for energy metabolism and DNA repair. IV treatments are thought to rejuvenate cells, improve energy levels, and support cognitive function. Some studies suggest that boosting NAD levels in your body contributes to anti-aging effects and enhances overall health.

Ozone Therapy

Ozone therapy involves the administration of ozone gas to enhance oxygen delivery and promote healing. When combined with Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation (UVBI), it amplifies the benefits. This combination is believed to improve circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance immune responses. Athletes like LeBron James have highlighted its use for recovery and performance enhancement.

Methylene Blue Therapy

Methylene blue is a compound that has been explored for various medical uses. These include its neuroprotective effects and ability to enhance mitochondrial function. As you know, Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell.

Methylene Blue Therapy (MBT) can improve energy production and reduce oxidative stress, which are key factors in aging.

Additional Considerations

In addition to lifestyle changes, oral supplements, and treatments, other new considerations are being studied for the effects of anti-aging.

Below is one that stands out amongst the others.

Exosomes

Exosomes are small extracellular vesicles that facilitate cell communication and carry proteins, lipids, and RNAs. In anti-aging treatments, exosomes are being investigated for their potential to promote tissue repair and rejuvenation by delivering beneficial molecules to damaged cells.

They may be a breakthrough in the world of Anti-aging Medicine and have potential applications in treating age-related conditions.

Final Notes

The science behind Anti-aging Medicine and biological aging have a bright future.

Take this opportunity to change your biological outcome.

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