Do 4 of these 5 Things & Live 15 Years Longer

How to Measure and Reverse your Biological Age

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My Longevity Experiment
January 09, 2025

How Much does it Cost to Reverse your Biological Age?

The adage says, “money can't buy love,” but can it buy time? U.S. billionaire Bryan Johnson is investing millions annually to answer this question. Johnson has adopted a rigorous diet, exercise routine, supplementation regimen, and extensive testing to monitor and optimize his body’s organ functions. Among his more unconventional methods, he has even undergone plasma transfusions using his 17-year-old son’s blood.

This ambitious quest to reverse aging has drawn widespread attention and sparked discussions about whether the human body can biologically become younger than its chronological age. To understand this concept, it’s essential to differentiate between chronological age and biological age.

Chronological Age vs. Biological Age

Chronological age is straightforward—it represents the number of years a person has lived, as recorded on their birth certificate. In cases where documentation is unavailable, methods like analyzing the "cemental lines" of teeth—akin to tree rings—can estimate age with impressive accuracy.

Biological age, however, is more nuanced. It reflects the decline in an organism’s functional capacity and the increased risk of illness or mortality over time. Importantly, biological age varies greatly among individuals. Factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and health interventions can lead to a biological age that is significantly younger or older than one’s chronological age.

For instance, consider a 70-year-old marathon runner who set a world record in 2018, compared to peers of the same age who require long-term care. This discrepancy highlights how biological age can be decoupled from chronological age.

Methods to Estimate Biological Age

Estimating biological age can be surprisingly simple. One effective method is visual assessment. Studies show that age estimations based on appearance are as accurate as some advanced biological age metrics. Notably, people who smoke, are obese, or are in poor health are often perceived as older, aligning with the fact that these factors accelerate biological aging.

Another straightforward indicator is grip-strength. As muscle mass declines with age, grip strength weakens. Research links reduced grip strength to higher biological age, especially when coupled with poor health or obesity.

More complex approaches include assessing organ function, measuring sterile inflammation (high levels indicate accelerated aging), and examining epigenetic changes to DNA, telomere length, or the number of senescent cells in the body. While these methods provide additional insights, they often lack precision compared to simpler assessments.

Reversing Biological Age: Lifestyle as the Foundation

For those aiming to reverse aging, lifestyle changes are paramount. Engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, avoiding smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, and managing weight are proven strategies to lower biological age. These simple habits collectively add years to life and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

In fact, individuals who adopt four out of five of these habits can expect to live approximately 15 years longer than those who neglect them entirely.

The Future of Anti-Aging Treatments

Beyond lifestyle, groundbreaking treatments to reverse aging are in development. Research on rodents has shown that the accumulation of senescent cells—a hallmark of aging—can be mitigated. Removing these cells not only extends lifespan but also improves healthspan, which refers to the quality of life in later years.

Studies comparing lifelong removal of senescent cells to late-life interventions found that both approaches yielded significant benefits. These findings suggest that reversing aging may soon become a feasible goal for humans. If successful, such treatments could revolutionize aging and healthcare, potentially reducing costs while enhancing quality of life.

Bryan Johnson’s Experiment: Hopeful or Practical?

Bryan Johnson’s experiment is a blend of practicality and aspiration. His detailed progress reports suggest promising results, though the ultimate goal of reaching 200 years of age remains speculative. His journey underscores the possibilities and limitations of modern science in addressing aging.

For those following similar pursuits, reversing biological age may not solely be about living longer. It’s about living better, healthier, and with greater vitality in the years we have.

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