Why test the Biological Age of your cells?
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When we are born, all of our cells have the same DNA. The cells in your eyes have the same DNA as the cells in your nails. So what makes our cells different?
Each cell chooses to turn on some genes and turn others off. Your eyes express different genes than your hair. This is called expression, and it is controlled by the markers measured with the TruAge test. Unfortunately, as we age, expression can become much harder to regulate as well and you start to lose function. In fact, aging is defined as the progressive loss of function. So, what does this have to do with biological age measured by TruAge?
TruAge can report how old your cells and DNA look, meaning you can measure how likely you are to develop disease or how long you might live.
It can be diffucult to measure your level of health. Health providers measure blood levels like cholesterol, inflammation, and blood sugar. They perform tests such as colonoscopies, vision tests, and physical function tests. Now, with this single measurement, you can link your health and longevity to a single, simple test which can help you and your health provider know the best way to address your health concerns in a personalized way.
TruAge™ is an epigenetic test that analyzes patterns of DNA Methylation to identify your Biological Age
Epigenetic Clock
An epigenetic clock is a revolutionary concept in molecular biology, specifically focusing on estimating biological age by scrutinizing changes in DNA methylation patterns. Exemplified by the well-known Horvath Clock, this method analyzes specific CpG sites across the genome, where alterations in methylation correlate with age. Unlike chronological age, epigenetic clocks provide a nuanced understanding of an individual's aging process at a cellular level. They have proven to be highly accurate predictors, showcasing variations in biological age that may deviate from the expected chronological age. By decoding these epigenetic changes, researchers aim to unravel the molecular intricacies of aging, offering potential insights into longevity, age-related diseases, and avenues for interventions that foster healthier and more graceful aging.
Proteomic- Based
An approach that focuses on the study of proteins involved in the aging process. The proteome represents the entire set of proteins expressed by an organism, tissue, or cell at a given time. Proteomic-based methods, such as proteomic profiling or analysis, utilize techniques like mass spectrometry to identify and quantify the abundance of proteins. This approach provides valuable insights into the changes in protein expression and modifications associated with aging. By examining the proteome, it can uncover specific proteins that play key roles in age-related processes, such as cellular senescence, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Proteomic-based studies contribute to a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying biological aging, offering potential targets for interventions aimed at mitigating age-related diseases.
Telomere Length
Telomere length is a critical feature at the tips of chromosomes, serving as protective caps that gradually shorten with each cell division. Composed of repetitive DNA sequences, telomeres safeguard the genetic information within chromosomes and play a pivotal role in cellular stability. The process of cell division causes natural telomere shortening, acting as a biological clock that regulates the lifespan of a cell. When telomeres become too short, cells can enter a state of senescence or apoptosis, limiting their ability to divide and potentially contributing to the aging process and age-related diseases. Monitoring telomere length is therefore a key aspect of understanding cellular aging and can serve as a valuable indicator of an individual's overall health and potential susceptibility to age-related conditions.
Metobolomic- Based
An approach involves studying the comprehensive set of small molecules, or metabolites, present in a biological system at a particular point in time. Metabolites are the end products of various biochemical pathways and cellular processes, reflecting the functional status of cells and tissues. Metabolomic-based methods, such as mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, are employed to identify and quantify these metabolites. By analyzing the metabolome, researchers can gain insights into the changes in metabolic pathways and biochemical reactions associated with the aging process. This approach allows for the identification of specific metabolites that may serve as biomarkers for aging or age-related conditions. Metabolomic-based studies contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the metabolic shifts that occur during aging, offering valuable information for the development of strategies to promote healthy aging and identify potential interventions to mitigate age-related metabolic changes.
Transcriptomic- Based
In the context of biological aging, "transcriptomic-based" refers to an approach that focuses on studying the comprehensive set of RNA transcripts involved in the aging process. This method involves analyzing the entire transcriptome, which includes various RNA molecules produced by cells during different stages of aging. Techniques like RNA sequencing are employed to quantify and examine the abundance of these RNA molecules. By adopting a transcriptomic-based approach, researchers can gain insights into the dynamic changes in gene expression patterns associated with biological aging. This method allows for a deeper understanding of how specific genes become active or inactive over time, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the aging process and age-related conditions.
Composite biomarkers
Composite biomarkers in the context of biological aging involve the integration of multiple measurable indicators, such as telomere length, epigenetic changes, inflammatory markers, metabolic profiles, and physical fitness assessments. By combining information from various biomarkers, researchers aim to create a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the complex process of aging. This approach recognizes that aging is influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors. The use of composite biomarkers provides a more accurate representation of an individual's biological age, offering valuable insights into overall health and potential susceptibility to age-related diseases. Employing this holistic strategy enhances our ability to study aging comprehensively and develop targeted interventions for promoting healthy aging.
WHY IT MATTER
BIOLOGICAL AGE IS THE #1 PREDICTOR OF NEARLY ALL AGE-RELATED DISEASES.
Cellular aging is the progress of cells dying or forgetting how to function. An easy example of this is skin wrinkles -skin cells lose their flexibility, and don’t recover from damage as quickly, so when the skin creases it begins to hold those creases instead of bouncing back.
DNA Methylation is a type of Epigenetic marker, which
changes which genes are being expressed, and how much they’re being expressed. DNA Methylation happens in response to daily habits like diet, exercise, sleep, stress, and
much much more.
A higher Biological Age is correlated with a higher risk of
developing age-related diseases (like Alzheimer’s Disease and Cancers ). A lower Biological Age is correlated with reduced risk of disease and a longer lifespan.
About 40% of your DNA Methylation happens in response to the natural progression of time, or during key developmental stages in your gestation and childhood. However, that means
the other 60% is Changeable - you can control it with your choices!
A Methyl is a little molecule. A clump of them, called a Methyl
Group, can stick onto our DNA, changing how the gene in that
spot is expressed. Sometimes they turn a gene on or off entirely, and sometimes they just turn the brightness up or down a little bit. That process is called DNA Methylation.
Many diseases occur at higher rates when you get older,
because more and more of your cells aren’t functioning the
way they should. The genes that should control that type of
cell aren’t expressing like they used to.
YOU CAN SLOW DOWN YOUR AGING​
While epigenetic changes may extend across three generations, the majority of your Biological Aging remains within your control through conscious choices. By making informed decisions, you can mitigate the risk of age-related diseases and witness tangible changes in Methylation patterns corresponding to your lifestyle. Monitoring Biological Age serves as a valuable tool to gauge the efficacy of interventions aimed at prolonging lifespan and enhancing overall health. Beyond that, it provides a comprehensive assessment of your current disease risk, surpassing individual metrics like blood sugar for diabetes or blood pressure for heart attack, offering a holistic evaluation encompassing a wide spectrum of age-related diseases in a single, straightforward metric.
