You only “inherit” a small percentage of your health outcomes – environmental impacts or epigenetics hold the key.
Millions of research hours have been put into the complex field of geroscience to answer the age-old question of why some people age better than others.
Recent twin studies revealed that heritable genetics may only play a minor role in predicting longevity.(1) However, substantial evidence suggests epigenetics plays a key role in accelerated ageing in response to diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposures.(2)
New research suggests the ‘epigenetic clock’ is far more accurate in predicting biological ageing than any other mechanism. (3)
How can we measure our epigenetic clock?
At this stage of research, measuring our epigenetic clock involves complex testing, however according to Levine et al (2018), biomarkers of phenotype ageing are clinically relevant and readily available, if we know what to look for.(5) Researchers predict the epigenetic clock could be used as a lifestyle management tool to monitor healthy ageing, to evaluate preventive interventions against age-related conditions and to extend our healthspan. (3)
Where can you have your own biomarkers assessed? True Medicine offers various methods of assessing your individual health – these may include blood pathology, functional pathology, DNA testing, as well as frequency testing to identify the presence of toxic substances and microbial health. Call today to arrange your assessment on 07 5530 1863.
Article References:
- Melzer, D., Pilling, L. C., & Ferrucci, L. (2019). The genetics of human ageing. Nature Reviews Genetics, 1-14.doi:10.1038/s41576-019-0183-6
- Sae-Lee, C., et al. (2018). Dietary Intervention Modifies DNA Methylation Age Assessed by the Epigenetic Clock. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, 1800092. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201800092
- Declerck, K., & Vanden Berghe, W. (2018). Back to the future: Epigenetic clock plasticity towards healthy aging. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 174, 18–29. doi:10.1016/j.mad.2018.01.002
- Xiao, F. H., Wang, H. T., & Kong, Q. P. (2019). Dynamic DNA Methylation During Aging: A “Prophet” of Age-Related Outcomes. Frontiers in genetics, 10, 107. doi:10.3389/fgene.2019.00107
- Levine, M. E., et al. (2018). An epigenetic biomarker of aging for lifespan and healthspan. Aging, 10(4), 573–591. doi:10.18632/aging.101414