blood vial in a lab ready for testing

Biological Age Test: How To Check Biological Age?

The efficiency with which your body operates in relation to the number of years you have lived is known as your biological age.1 Your aging progression is compared to others using a variety of indications, including overall cellular health, telomere length, and DNA methylation levels.(2,3)

Determining your biological age reveals the age-appropriate functioning of your body. This distinction is significant because it clarifies why individuals of the same age may age and get ill at varying rates. Telomere length and DNA methylation patterns are utilized in biological age tests to determine an individual’s age and level of health.4 Understanding your biological age may motivate you to alter your way of life in order to delay the aging process, enhance your health, and extend your life. This data enhances individualized medical care and advances the development of anti-aging treatments.

Get a Lab Test Now!

Schedule your at-home lab test with Drip Hydration for a convenient, comprehensive, and professional healthcare experience tailored to your needs.


What is Biological Age?

Understanding the distinction between chronological age and biological age can help us in our understanding of aging and health.5 The day of your birth determines your chronological age, whereas the condition of your body’s systems and cells determines your biological age. This depends on your genetic makeup, lifestyle, and geography. This spectrum of age types explains, in part, why two people of the same age can have remarkably different health patterns and aging circumstances.

Biological age tests examine indicators of cellular and molecular health and function. Telomere lengthepigenetic modifications, inflammation, and the efficiency of internal systems are examples of biomarkers. These tests are intended to provide a better understanding of an individual’s bodily function in relation to others of a similar age. A lower formal age than biological age indicates a more favorable aging trajectory.

blood vial in a lab ready for testing

You will probably age more quickly if your biological age is higher, which might indicate that you have worse health or are more susceptible to age-related illnesses.

Understanding biological age is crucial for a variety of reasons. If people are aware of the precise causes that accelerate aging, they may modify their lifestyle and health to slow down this process. Your biological age may be significantly lower if you make changes to your diet, exercise routine, stress management style, and sleep patterns. Additionally, biological age testing can encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles and improve their health care practices.

Medical researchers can also use biological age to gain additional insights. More knowledge about how individuals age would enable medical professionals to better focus therapies to slow down the aging process and customize care for each patient. As this field of study develops, biological age may be heavily utilized in the testing of anti-aging medications and therapies.

How To Check Biological Age?

The Horvath clock test and the epigenetic clock are two better ways to estimate biological age made possible by scientific advancement.6 These techniques use biological indicators of cell health and age to match an individual’s aging process to their actual age.

One important alteration that gives DNA molecules methyl groups is called DNA methylation. Epigenetic clocks monitor this shift. Due to a combination of our genetic makeup and lifestyle decisions, our DNA methylation patterns alter with age. By examining the methylation status of DNA regions, which varies in a way that can be expected with age, an incredible technique known as the epigenetic clock determines biological age. Numerous epigenetic clocks have been developed by scientists that employ distinct DNA methylation sites to record an individual’s age. This approach to examining age-related outcomes has been extensively studied, which makes it a solid foundation for assessing biological aging.

A renowned expert in epigenetic clocks created the Horvath clock, which functions accurately in a variety of cells and organs. The Horvath clock is an intriguing test that examines 353 DNA methylation sites, which, according to Dr. Horvath’s research, may accurately determine an individual’s age.7 Any type of tissue or cell may have its biological age determined using this approach, regardless of the sample’s age expressed in years. The Horvath clock is useful to many species, showing how important it is to comprehend how living things age and behave.

DNA samples must be extracted from skin swabs, saliva, or blood for these assays. Following collection, DNA is closely examined to check for methylation patterns. To determine an individual’s biological age, these patterns are compared against baselines from population studies using state-of-the-art computer techniques.

These techniques enable the development of personalized treatment regimens based on an understanding of how individuals mature. With the use of cutting edge instruments like Horvath clocks and epigenetics, doctors may more accurately and predictably identify patients who are at risk for age-related disorders. This feature enables customized therapy based on the unique aging patterns of each patient. As people age, this may help them maintain their health and live better lives.

TruAge Lab Test

One of the most sophisticated methods for determining someone’s biological age—which may differ from their actual age—is the TruAge biological age lab test. To provide a more accurate picture of the aging process in the body, the TruAge test examines cellular and molecular variables. This is especially beneficial for those who wish to improve their workout routines, learn more about their health, and perhaps even extend their lives by concentrating on specific areas.

DNA methylation is one of the epigenetic variables that the TruAge test detects. These changes in DNA chemistry, which controls the expression of genes, have an impact on genes, culture, and genetics. After examining these indicators, the test can provide valuable insights into cellular aging and potential risk factors for aging.

A small sample of blood or saliva must be submitted to a lab in order to perform the TruAge test. In the laboratory, the most recent techniques and tools are employed to analyze DNA methylation data. The report provides a detailed analysis of the individual’s current health, biological age, and lifestyle recommendations. Making informed decisions about your diet, exercise routine, and other health-related matters will help you live a longer, healthier life.

Advancements in Biological Age Testing

Advances in biological age testing have accelerated research and technology, increasing test accessibility and accuracy. We can learn more about our aging process thanks to these exams. These advancements greatly simplify the process of determining an individual’s biological age. Because they make use of increasingly sophisticated computational techniques, new sensors, and a larger variety of biological materials, these evaluations are more accurate.

The methods for doing epigenetic testing have been considerably enhanced and expanded. Two novel varieties of epigenetic clocks are the PhenoAge and GrimAge clocks. These revised versions predict a person’s life expectancy and level of health based on their biological age and clinical data. These models determine an individual’s degree of health and risk of developing an age-related disease based on lifestyle factors, clinical indicators such as blood protein levels, and DNA methylation patterns.

Biological age tests have improved with the use of bioinformatics and sequencing. With the low cost and simple accessibility of high-throughput sequencing technology, researchers may do more research and delve deeper into epigenetic analysis. Machine learning techniques are also being used to biomarker sets related to age. These algorithms can identify patterns and determine an individual’s biological age with accuracy. As they learn more, their ability to foresee improves.

Multi-omics techniques to determine an individual’s biological age represent yet another significant advancement. Integrating transcriptomicsproteomicsmetabolomics, and genetic data enables researchers to comprehend the intricate process of cellular aging. Through the discovery of novel age-related biomarkers and processes, this multidisciplinary approach may pave the way for therapeutic approaches that halt or reduce the deterioration associated with aging.

Conclusion

You may learn more about your biological age and health with more sophisticated testing than simply your physical age. In these studies, the effects of genes, behaviors, and environments on aging are investigated using contemporary instruments such as the epigenetic clock and other factors. Biological age testing is getting more and more significant as time goes on and technology advances more swiftly. In addition to helping patients create health plans that are more beneficial for them, it also enables medical professionals to provide more individualized and efficient care. To live longer and have a higher quality of life, take control of your health and aging.

Schedule your at Home Lab Test with Drip Hydration

An in-home lab test is a simple, convenient way to get the answers you need. Samples are collected by one of our medical professionals. We will help you understand your results and recommend the next steps to help you feel your best.

Give us a call or click the button below to schedule an appointment!

Lab Testing - Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to do lab tests occasionally?

It is important to do lab tests occasionally because they can provide valuable information about an individual's health and help to identify potential health issues early on. Lab tests can measure a wide range of factors, including blood count, cholesterol levels, liver and kidney function, and hormone levels, and can provide insight into an individual's overall health and wellness. Additionally, lab tests can help to diagnose and monitor the progression of certain medical conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, and can help to identify any potential health risks or concerns. By doing lab tests occasionally, individuals can take proactive steps to maintain their health and wellbeing and reduce the risk of potential health problems in the future.

What does a routine blood test cover?

A routine blood test is used to check for a range of things, including your blood count and the levels of certain chemicals and substances in your blood. Blood tests can also be used to check how well certain organs, such as your liver and kidneys, are functioning.

How is a blood sample collected for lab testing?

A blood sample for lab testing is typically collected through a process called venipuncture, which involves inserting a small needle into a vein to draw blood. This is usually done on the inside of the elbow or the back of the hand.

What is the cost of a lab test?

In general, the cost of a lab test can range from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. It is always best to consult with your doctor or healthcare provider to get an accurate estimate of the cost of a lab test.

Read More: Lab Testing FAQ

References

[1] Jackson SH, Weale MR, Weale RA. Biological age--what is it and can it be measured? Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2003 Mar-Apr;36(2):103-15. doi: 10.1016/s0167-4943(02)00060-2. PMID: 12849085.;

[2] Vaiserman A, Krasnienkov D. Telomere Length as a Marker of Biological Age: State-of-the-Art, Open Issues, and Future Perspectives. Front Genet. 2021 Jan 21;11:630186. doi: 10.3389/fgene.2020.630186. PMID: 33552142; PMCID: PMC7859450.;

[3] Singer BD. A Practical Guide to the Measurement and Analysis of DNA Methylation. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2019 Oct;61(4):417-428. doi: 10.1165/rcmb.2019-0150TR. PMID: 31264905; PMCID: PMC6775954.;

[4] Klemp I, Hoffmann A, Müller L, Hagemann T, Horn K, Rohde-Zimmermann K, Tönjes A, Thiery J, Löffler M, Burkhardt R, Böttcher Y, Stumvoll M, Blüher M, Krohn K, Scholz M, Baber R, Franks PW, Kovacs P, Keller M. DNA methylation patterns reflect individual's lifestyle independent of obesity. Clin Transl Med. 2022 Jun;12(6):e851. doi: 10.1002/ctm2.851. PMID: 35692099; PMCID: PMC9189420.;

[5] Maltoni R, Ravaioli S, Bronte G, Mazza M, Cerchione C, Massa I, Balzi W, Cortesi M, Zanoni M, Bravaccini S. Chronological age or biological age: What drives the choice of adjuvant treatment in elderly breast cancer patients? Transl Oncol. 2022 Jan;15(1):101300. doi: 10.1016/j.tranon.2021.101300. Epub 2021 Dec 1. PMID: 34864401; PMCID: PMC8640726.;

[6] Duan R, Fu Q, Sun Y, Li Q. Epigenetic clock: A promising biomarker and practical tool in aging. Ageing Res Rev. 2022 Nov;81:101743. doi: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101743. Epub 2022 Oct 4. PMID: 36206857.;

[7] Horvath S. DNA methylation age of human tissues and cell types. Genome Biol. 2013;14(10):R115. doi: 10.1186/gb-2013-14-10-r115. Erratum in: Genome Biol. 2015 May 13;16:96. doi: 10.1186/s13059-015-0649-6. PMID: 24138928; PMCID: PMC4015143.;