Gaby
As we navigate through life, the risk of developing chronic diseases gradually increases. While we all age chronologically at the same rate, our biological clocks can tick faster or slower.
This discrepancy has pushed researchers to find ways to measure biological age. One method analyzes the “epigenetic clock,” which tracks age-related chemical changes in DNA. Another uses common medical test results — blood pressure, cholesterol, and other physiological measures.
Thanks to these biomarkers, researchers have faced a stark reality: when a person’s biological age exceeds their chronological age, it reflects accelerated cellular aging and a higher susceptibility to age-related diseases.
A recent study by a team from the Karolinska Institute in Sweden revealed that biological age, rather than the number of years lived, predicts future dementia and stroke.
How the Study Was Conducted
During their research, the team utilized health data from 325,000 middle-aged and older Britons. The scientists were interested in how biological age influences future risks of developing neurological diseases.
Initially, to assess biological age, researchers analyzed 18 biomarkers collected during medical examinations from 2006 to 2010. The factors considered included blood pressure, blood glucose levels, cholesterol levels, inflammation markers, waist circumference, and lung capacity.
They found that biological age predicted dementia and stroke over the next decade (even after accounting for differences in genetics, gender, wealth, and lifestyle).
Sara Hegg, an associate professor of molecular biology, provided an example of two 60-year-olds who participated in the study. One had a biological age of 65, while the other was 60. The first participant had a 20 percent higher risk of developing dementia and a 40 percent higher risk of stroke.
What the Scientists Found
The study revealed a strong connection between biological age and the risks of dementia and stroke. Alongside previous research from the team, which showed a significant link between older biological age and cancer risk, the new findings suggest that slowing the body’s decline could prevent chronic diseases in later life.
Assessing biological age through standard blood samples could become routine practice. Individuals with accelerated aging could be identified decades before they exhibit symptoms of dementia. Dementia is currently incurable, but early detection allows for interventions that can slow its progression through preventive measures.
Researchers suggest that people can slow biological aging by changing lifestyle habits. Specifically: exercise, quality sleep, and a healthy diet, according to The Conversation.
In the near future, scientists plan to replicate their study with a larger sample of participants. The team also hopes to uncover the relationship between genetic background, biological aging, and other serious diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
However, monitoring the internal processes of aging can already help individuals delay cognitive decline, offering hope for a healthier and more fulfilling life.
