Understanding the Biomarkers of Aging
TL;DR
Aging biomarkers are biological characteristics that offer insights into our individual aging processes, differing from chronological age.
These biomarkers fall into categories like genetic, epigenetic, proteomic, metabolic, and physiological, offering a range of insights into biological aging.
Regular health check-ups and blood tests can measure key aging biomarkers to assess overall health and potential disease risks.
These biomarkers play a crucial role in developing personalized health plans and interventions for aging-related diseases.
Aging Biomarkers
It’s no secret: as we grow older, our bodies age. But some of us age faster or slower than other people who are the same chronological age. Why is that? Complexity.
We have 30+ trillion cells that make up 70+ organs, 10 of those major organs - lungs, heart, skin, etc.
There are approximately 100 billion neurons in a mature human brain with roughly 600 trillion synaptic connections constantly firing.
Oh and remember how many cells we have? We also play host to roughly the same number of bacteria in our gut.
Understatement of the year: there’s a lot going on!
So it’s not hard to imagine that physiological processes differ person to person, and how different decisions lead to stress, wear and tear, on cells and organs which can result in varying biological ages from day 1.
So how do we know our overall health at any given point? Part of the answer lies in key biomarkers that provide a view into aging. Results from testing these aging biomarkers provide objective information about our individual aging processes.
The Significance of Aging Biomarkers
Simply put - aging biomarkers are biological characteristics that provide information about our individual aging process. These markers provide crucial insights into our biological age, which often differs from our chronological age. These markers, including genetic, molecular, biochemical, and physiological characteristics, change predictably as we age. They play a pivotal role in evaluating age-related disease risks, predicting lifespan, and designing personalized health plans.
Understanding aging biomarkers empowers us to assess our current health levels and identify strategies to enhance our wellbeing and longevity.
Types of Aging Biomarkers
Aging biomarkers fall into several categories with different insights into our biological aging process:
Genetic - Changes in DNA structure and function, such as DNA damage and telomere length, are commonly used as genetic biomarkers of aging.
Epigenetic - Focus on changes in DNA methylation patterns and histone modifications, which can influence gene expression without altering the underlying DNA sequence. We provide a thorough overview of epigenetics in our article here.
Proteomic - All about proteins - assessing changes in the levels and types of proteins expressed in our cells.
Metabolic - These biomarkers include changes in metabolic processes as we age, such as glucose and lipid metabolism.
Physiological - Include assessments like blood pressure, lung function, and pulse rate, but also markers like grip strength, which can reflect age-related changes in physiological function.
Measuring Aging Biomarkers
Available Now
If you’ve had a physical in the last year, you have an idea of what’s covered by insurance. At every doctor’s appointment, annual physical exam or not, your vitals will be tested. And depending on your health insurance, you’re entitled to a series of biomarkers from blood tests once or twice a year.
Vitals
These include height, weight, pulse rate, etc. that are helpful to know, but don’t provide the best view under the hood.
The most important vital for aging is blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force put on the walls of our blood vessels (our endothelium) every time our heart pumps. It’s a key indicator to determine if we’re going to have future cardiovascular problems
Another measurement not considered a vital sign, but extremely important is waist circumference. This measure is much more valuable than BMI - it is an indicator to gauge visceral fat and overall metabolic health
Blood tests
Hemoglobin A1c - Glucose binds to the hemoglobin in our blood cells (which live for about 3 months). Basically, this test is a 90-day average of your blood sugar levels.
Fasting Glucose - This is a more accurate measurement of your blood sugar levels at the time of your blood test and helps identify your risk for future diabetes or metabolic problems.
Fasting Insulin - Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose into your cells. Higher insulin levels in your bloodstream shows your pancreas is working too hard, leading to potential metabolic issues in the future.
Triglycerides - Most of the fats we eat are triglycerides, and they give us energy. However, extra calories, alcohol, and sugar turn into triglycerides and are stored in fat cells. High levels of triglycerides lead to metabolic issues and fatty liver disease.
Not Typically Covered
These blood tests may be available for free through your health insurance - either based on your condition or you need to push your doctor. But others are likely to be an additional cost on top your health insurance.
Blood tests
High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP) - It sounds complicated, but it’s just a protein made in the liver that increases with inflammation in the body.
Apolipoprotein N (ApoB) - It’s one of the best tests to indicate risk for heart disease. It’s the carrier of small cholesterol (VLDL and LDL) that gets stuck in our veins and arteries that cause future problems.
Telomere Length Measurement - This test measures the length of telomeres, the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes that shorten with each cell division. Shortened telomere length may indicate DNA damage.
DNA Methylation Testing - Also known as epigenetic clock testing, this test measures patterns of DNA methylation, a type of chemical modification to DNA that changes with age. It is currently the best predictor of mortality.
The Future
It’s pretty remarkable. The study of biomarkers in relation to the aging process is rapidly advancing, with new biomarkers and more sophisticated measurement techniques constantly being developed. These advancements hold promise for improving our understanding of the biology of aging, enabling more effective interventions to slow the aging process, and enhancing our ability to predict and prevent age-related diseases
The Bottom Line
Aging biomarkers offer a powerful tool for understanding and managing the aging process. They enable healthcare professionals to monitor health, assess risks of age-related diseases, and develop effective anti-aging interventions. The future of aging biomarkers in research is promising, with ongoing advancements improving our understanding of aging biology and enabling more effective disease prevention strategies.
The takeaways
Aging biomarkers are essential for understanding biological age, which often varies from chronological age, providing crucial insights into individual health and longevity.
These biomarkers enable the identification of risk factors for age-related diseases, facilitating early intervention and personalized healthcare strategies.
Regular monitoring of these biomarkers through medical check-ups and blood tests is vital for assessing health status and managing aging effectively.
The field of aging biomarker research is rapidly evolving, promising new advancements that could revolutionize how we understand, manage, and potentially slow the aging process.
Embracing the study and application of aging biomarkers can significantly impact healthcare, offering more precise, predictive, and preventive approaches to aging and associated diseases.
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The information in this article is for informational purposes only and may not be appropriate or applicable based on your individual circumstances. Thrive25, Inc. does not provide medical, professional, or licensed advice. Please connect with your healthcare professional for medical advice specific to your health needs.