Understanding PhenoAge: A New Frontier in Longevity and Health
In the quest for a longer, healthier life, we often look to exercise, nutrition, and mental well-being as primary contributors to our overall health. While these are undeniably important, there’s another critical piece of the puzzle that often gets overlooked—bloodwork and biomarker testing. This powerful tool can unlock insights into your body’s internal health, helping you optimize your lifestyle and prevent chronic illnesses. Here's why regular bloodwork and biomarker monitoring are essential for achieving longevity.
13 Nov 2024 • 6 min read
Table of contents
- Chronological Age vs. Biological Age
- What is PhenoAge and How is it Calculated?
- Why PhenoAge Matters: Implications for Health and Longevity
- Strategies to Lower Your Biological Age
- Geviti’s Products That May Help Reduce Biological Age
- Conclusion
- References
Chronological Age vs. Biological Age
Chronological age is the age we know well—the number of years since we were born. Biological age, however, tells a different story. It reflects how "old" your body truly is based on cellular and physiological markers. Factors like diet, lifestyle, genetics, and environment impact biological age, meaning two people with the same chronological age could have vastly different biological ages.
Biological age is becoming more relevant as a measure of health because it often correlates better with disease risk and mortality than chronological age. In other words, you might be 50 years old but have the biological health of someone who’s 40—or, conversely, of someone who’s 60. This concept provides a more accurate picture of how your body is aging and what might lie ahead for your health.
What is PhenoAge and How is it Calculated?
PhenoAge, or phenotypic age, is one of the newer and more accessible methods of calculating biological age. Developed through a complex algorithm, the PhenoAge calculation includes nine specific biomarkers that reflect critical health aspects, such as inflammation, immune function, and metabolic health. These biomarkers include measurements like albumin, creatinine, glucose levels, C-reactive protein, and white blood cell count.
The PhenoAge model was initially developed to predict mortality risk and disease in various populations. Studies have shown that PhenoAge is a better predictor of lifespan than chronological age, and it can even indicate how likely an individual is to develop age-related diseases. The calculation creates a biological age that can be compared to your chronological age, revealing whether your body is aging faster or slower than expected.
According to research, each 10-year increase in PhenoAge is associated with a 51% increase in mortality risk, even after adjusting for chronological age(DM2022-4524032). This makes PhenoAge a valuable tool for evaluating individual health risks and creating personalized health plans that focus on slowing down the aging process.
Why PhenoAge Matters: Implications for Health and Longevity
Understanding and tracking PhenoAge provides numerous advantages for proactive health management. Here’s why it’s relevant:
- Disease Prediction and Prevention: PhenoAge helps identify those at higher risk for age-related diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. With this information, you can implement early interventions.
- Personalized Health Interventions: Since PhenoAge reflects the real-time health of your body, it’s a valuable metric for testing the effectiveness of lifestyle and dietary changes aimed at improving health and extending lifespan.
- Health Span Optimization: PhenoAge can guide you toward strategies that not only increase your lifespan but also enhance your health span—the number of years you live free from disease and disability. By understanding your PhenoAge, you can work on maintaining a youthful biological age even as you chronologically grow older.
Strategies to Lower Your Biological Age
The exciting news is that PhenoAge isn't static. By adopting healthier lifestyle choices, you can potentially lower your biological age and promote a healthier, more youthful state. Here are some key strategies:
- Optimize Your Diet: Nutrient-dense, anti-inflammatory foods can have a profound impact on your biological age. Focus on whole foods—especially vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats like those from nuts and olive oil. Avoid processed foods, which accelerate aging by promoting inflammation and oxidative stress.
- Exercise Regularly: Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to lower your biological age. Both aerobic and resistance exercises help improve cardiovascular health, reduce inflammation, and boost mitochondrial function, all of which contribute to a younger biological profile.
- Prioritize Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for cellular repair and overall health. Aim for 7-9 hours per night to support immune function, hormonal balance, and cognitive health. Sleep also lowers cortisol levels, reducing stress-related aging.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress accelerates aging through the release of cortisol, which can damage tissues and impair immune function. Practices like meditation, deep breathing, and mindfulness can help mitigate stress and its impact on biological aging.
- Targeted Supplementation: Some supplements can help slow aging at the cellular level. These include antioxidants (like vitamin C and E), omega-3 fatty acids, and adaptogens such as ashwagandha. PhenoAge results can help tailor supplementation to your specific needs.
Geviti’s Products That May Help Reduce Biological Age
Geviti offers a range of products designed to support healthy aging and potentially reduce biological age:
- GHK-Cu Peptide: Known for its regenerative properties, GHK-Cu can enhance collagen production, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue repair, making it a valuable addition to an anti-aging regimen.
- NAD+: NAD+ plays a critical role in cellular energy production and DNA repair. It supports mitochondrial health, which is essential for slowing down the biological aging process.
- Sermorelin: As a growth hormone-releasing hormone, Sermorelin can help improve muscle mass, energy, and overall vitality, which can positively affect biological age.
- Glutathione: Known as the body’s "master antioxidant," glutathione protects cells from oxidative stress, reducing cellular damage and promoting a more youthful biological age.
- Longeviti Blend: Geviti takes your unique bloodwork and creates a custom, personalized supplement mix specific to you. This blend will have everything you need to feel your best and work towards improving your internal biomarkers.
By incorporating these products alongside lifestyle modifications, you can work towards reducing your PhenoAge and enhancing your health and longevity.
Conclusion
Tracking and improving your biological age offers an innovative approach to health and longevity. PhenoAge, a powerful tool in this field, goes beyond the limitations of chronological age to reveal how fast your body is truly aging. By understanding your PhenoAge, you gain actionable insights into your health and can take steps to prevent disease, improve your vitality, and ultimately, extend your health span.
Geviti’s advanced bloodwork analysis and targeted health solutions are here to guide you on this journey, helping you understand and lower your biological age for a healthier, more vibrant life. If you’re ready to learn more about your biological age and take control of your health, consider booking a consultation with Geviti to get started.
References
Liu, Z., et al. (2018). "A new aging measure captures morbidity and mortality risk across diverse subpopulations from NHANES IV: a cohort study." PLoS Medicine, vol. 15, no. 12, article e1002718.
Qiong Ma, et al. (2022). "Association between Phenotypic Age and Mortality in Patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease." Disease Markers, vol. 2022, Article ID 4524032.
World Health Organization. "Guidelines on Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior."
This article provides a holistic view of PhenoAge and actionable steps for enhancing biological age. By understanding and optimizing PhenoAge, you’re empowering yourself to live not just a longer life, but a healthier, more fulfilling one.
Disclaimer: The content provided here is intended solely for educational and entertainment purposes. It should not be considered as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are seeking specific information or guidance on the topic discussed, it is strongly recommended that you consult with a qualified healthcare professional or your doctor to address your individual needs and circumstances.
