Age Based on Biology, Not Birthdate, May Indicate Healthy Longevity

As a distinguished professor at the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science, I hold a Ph.D. and M.P.H. degree. When it comes to understanding aging, there are two important concepts to grasp: chronological age and epigenetic age. Chronological age is simply the number of years since a person’s birth, while epigenetic age refers to the biological age of a person’s cells, tissues, and organ systems. It is a measure of how our body has aged at a cellular level.

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If a person’s epigenetic age is greater than their chronological age, it indicates that they are undergoing epigenetic age acceleration. This condition is associated with a higher risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other age-related diseases. This highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy epigenetic age to live a longer, disease-free life.

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Based on extensive research using four different epigenetic “clocks,” scientists have discovered that every five to eight years of epigenetic age acceleration corresponds to 20% to 32% lower odds of living to age 90 with intact mobility and cognitive function. This finding emphasizes the significance of maintaining a healthy epigenetic age for preserving physical and mental abilities in old age.

The concept of healthspan becomes even more crucial when we consider the projected increase in the number of individuals living to be 90 years and older in the United States. The number is expected to quadruple from 1.9 million in 2016 to 7.6 million in 2050. These statistics emphasize the need to prioritize our healthspan, ensuring that we not only live longer but also enjoy a high quality of life in our later years.

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To better understand the relationship between epigenetic age acceleration and healthy longevity, a comprehensive study was conducted using data from the Women’s Health Initiative. This long-term national health study, funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and initiated in 1993, analyzed physical and cognitive status data from 1,813 women. The results revealed that the median age of death among Women’s Health Initiative participants was 90 years.

Among this group, 464 women managed to reach the age of 90 with intact mobility and cognitive functioning, while 420 reached 90 but without intact mobility and cognitive functioning. Sadly, 929 women passed away before reaching 90. The study participants were initially 70 to 72 years old and were followed until at least age 90 or the time of their deaths.

Interestingly, the associations between epigenetic age acceleration clocks and healthy longevity were found to be independent of other characteristics commonly observed in the long-lived women with intact mobility and memory. These characteristics included being of white ethnicity, having no or fewer chronic conditions at baseline, having higher education, not smoking, and engaging in regular walks multiple times per week. This indicates that epigenetic age acceleration plays a significant role in determining healthy longevity, regardless of other factors.

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Prior studies have consistently shown that epigenetic age acceleration is associated with an increased risk of death. However, this study is the first of its kind to prospectively examine the relationship between slower age acceleration and living to age 90 with preserved mobility and memory. The findings shed light on the importance of maintaining a healthy epigenetic age to increase our chances of living a long and fulfilling life.

As first author Purva Jain, Ph.D., aptly puts it, this research contributes valuable insights into the connection between age acceleration and healthy longevity. It reinforces the significance of prioritizing our epigenetic health to increase our odds of experiencing a long and vibrant life.