In the quest to uncover the secrets of aging, biological age tests have gained popularity as a means to assess how old your body really is. These tests, highlighted recently on Keeping Up With the Kardashians, aim to differentiate between chronological age—how many years you’ve lived—and biological age, which estimates the body’s decline based on DNA markers.
Biological age tests typically measure DNA methylation levels, the process by which methyl groups attach to DNA, potentially influencing gene expression. This is akin to barnacles slowing down a ship. These tests, priced between £150 and £300, have become a significant tool in the field of epigenetics, which studies changes in gene activity not caused by alterations in the DNA sequence itself.
However, new research from Harvard University has raised questions about the accuracy of these tests. The study found that the epigenetic age of cells can vary significantly depending on their type and function. For example, stem cells in skeletal muscle and blood showed a younger epigenetic age compared to more mature cells. Conversely, stem cells in the skin and intestine had similar epigenetic ages to mature cells.
This variation suggests that the biological age measured by these tests might not fully capture the complexity of aging across different tissues and cell types. The researchers noted that the activity of stem cells could influence the epigenetic age of a tissue, and changes in stem cells due to aging, injury, or disease might affect test results.
The study’s authors believe their findings will help refine the accuracy and usefulness of biological age tests in the future.
The concept of epigenetic age was first popularized by Professor Steve Horvath, who developed an aging “clock” in 2011 at UCLA. His model, based on specific epigenetic patterns, initially showed promise in correlating biological age with chronological age. Since then, companies like Zymo Research, Epimorphy, and Chronomics have introduced their own tests.
On a recent episode of The Kardashians, Kim, Kris, and Khloe Kardashian took these tests. Khloe’s biological age was reported as 28, despite her actual age being 39. Kim, at 43, was assessed at a biological age of 34, while Kris was found to be six years younger than her chronological age.
Despite their popularity, these tests’ reliability and practical applications are still under scrutiny. As research progresses, they may become more accurate and insightful, offering a better understanding of biological age and aging processes.
