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About This Biomarker
Biological Age measures how well your body functions compared to your chronological age (the years you've been alive). Unlike your actual age, biological age reflects the cumulative effects of genetics, lifestyle, environment and health behaviours on your body's cells and systems. This biomarker is calculated from a panel of routine blood markers — including albumin, creatinine, glucose, alkaline phosphatase, C-reactive protein and components of a full blood count — using the validated PhenoAge algorithm (Levine et al., 2018).
A biological age younger than your chronological age suggests your body is functioning well and may indicate better health and longevity prospects. Conversely, a biological age older than your chronological age may signal accelerated ageing and increased risk for age-related diseases. Factors influencing biological age include diet, exercise, sleep quality, stress levels, smoking, alcohol consumption and exposure to toxins.
Biological age testing can provide insights into your overall health trajectory and help identify areas for improvement in your lifestyle. This information may guide personalised health interventions, preventive care strategies and wellness programs. While biological age is a helpful data point for understanding ageing processes, it should be interpreted alongside other health assessments and clinical evaluations to provide a comprehensive picture of your health status.
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Why We Test This
Testing biological age biomarkers can reveal how well your body is aging at the cellular level compared to your chronological age, providing insights into your overall health trajectory and longevity potential. This information helps identify whether lifestyle factors, stress, diet, or genetics are accelerating or slowing your aging process. Understanding your biological age enables you to make targeted interventions through nutrition, exercise, sleep optimisation, and stress management to slow aging and reduce disease risk. It also serves as a valuable baseline measurement to track the effectiveness of anti-aging interventions and wellness strategies over time.
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What Affects It
Lifestyle choices such as diet quality, physical activity levels, sleep patterns, and stress management influence biological age. Environmental exposures like air pollution, UV radiation, and toxins can accelerate biological aging. Health conditions, including chronic inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and metabolic disorders, significantly impact biological age. Genetic factors, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and social determinants like socioeconomic status also affect the rate of biological aging relative to chronological age.
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How to Improve
To improve biological age, focus on regular aerobic exercise and strength training to maintain muscle mass and cardiovascular health. Prioritise quality sleep of 7-9 hours nightly and manage chronic stress through meditation or relaxation techniques. Adopt a nutrient-dense diet rich in antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and anti-inflammatory foods while limiting processed foods and excessive sugar. Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as these accelerate cellular aging. Maintain social connections and engage in mentally stimulating activities to support cognitive health. Regular health screenings and preventive care help identify and address age-related changes early, while consistent lifestyle modifications can significantly slow the biological aging process.
