Biological age may be more important that birthdate for healthy longevity.
A new study conducted by the University of California San Diego has found that accelerated biological and epigenetic ageing is associated with lower odds of older women living to the age of 90 and beyond.
Researchers analysed data from three Women’s Health Initiative studies among 1813 women who survived to the age of 90 and beyond.
The study found that increased epigenetic age acceleration, as measured by four epigenetic clocks was associated with lower odds of survival to the age of 90 with intact mobility. Results were similar when including intact cognitive functioning.
An epigenetic clock is a biochemical test that uses algorithms to calculate biological age. This is done on the basis of a read-out of the extent to which dozens, or even hundreds, of sites across an individual’s genome are bound by methyl groups (a form of epigenetic modification).
Andrea LaCroix, lead author of the paper, said: “Older people know well that age is just a number that may not be indicative of their health status.
“What if we had a way to measure how fast we were ageing that could predicts our odds of living a long and healthy life? In ageing research, we call this an individual’s healthspan.”
Epigenetic age refers to the biological age of a person’s cells, tissues and organ systems, while chronicle age is based on a person’s birthdate.
If an individual’s epigenetic age is greater than their chronicle age, that is called epigenetic age acceleration. Epigenetic age acceleration is associated with higher risk of cancer, cardiovascular disease and other diseases.
Purva Jain, one of the authors of the paper, said: “Prior studies have shown that epigenetic age acceleration is associated with increased risk of death, and a few studies observed that slower age acceleration occurs among long-lived individuals.
“But this is the first study to prospectively examine the relationship between slower age acceleration and living to age 90 with preserved mobility and memory.”
The study had several limitations. It included only women and it did not include any diverse racial and ethnic groups.
