Biological Age: Reason why you feel younger or older than your years

By Sunil Saxena 

Ever wondered why some people are 35 but feel like 60? And there are others who are 65 but feel like 45?

For a long time, researchers thought that how long you live was coded in your genes. If your parents and grandparents lived long lives, you were likely to live long too.

But here’s something interesting: newer research shows that genetics only accounts for about 15% to 25% of ageing. So, what does that mean for the other 75%?

It turns out, ageing well has a lot more to do with your lifestyle than just your DNA. That’s good news because it means you have more control over how you age than you might think!

Now, let’s talk about two important terms: chronological age and biological age.

Chronological age is what you state on your passport – it tells you how long you’ve been on this planet.

But biological age is like your health report card. It is a prediction of how long you have left and how likely you are to become chronically ill.

Your biological age depends on your lifestyle—things like diet, exercise, sleep, and stress.

For example, if you’re healthy and active, your biological age might be younger than your chronological age. But if you’re not taking care of yourself, your biological age could be higher—even if you’re the same chronological age as someone else.

And here’s an important finding: research shows that biological age is a better predictor of diseases like diabetes or heart problems than your chronological age. In fact, it might even give doctors a better sense of how long you’ll live.

While you can’t change your chronological age—you were born on a certain day and that’s set in stone—you can do things to improve your biological age.

Now, let’s get a bit more scientific and understand how do scientists actually measure biological age? They look at two biomarkers, Telomeres and DNA methylation.

Telomeres are like the protective caps at the ends of your DNA strands. Every time a cell divides, these telomeres get a little shorter. Shorter telomeres can be a sign of ageing faster, which could mean higher risks for diseases. According to one study, shorter telomeres can lead to chronic illness, neurogenerative disorders, even an early death.

The second biomarker to measure your biological age is DNA methylation. If you think of your DNA as a giant instruction book for your body, methylation is like little switches that turn genes on or off. Changes in these switches can show how your body is ageing and can even predict risks for certain diseases.

Now, for the good news.

There are six paths along which you can walk to control your biological age. All of us are aware of these six magical paths but very few of us take them.

So, what are these six magical paths that can stop your biological age from spinning out of control?

The first is eat a balanced diet. Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.

The second is stay active: Take brisk walks, jog, run, trek, swim or play a sport of your choice.

The third is manage stress: Practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, mindfulness or hobbies you are passionate about.

The fourth is avoid smoking: Say no to cigarettes to protect your body.

The fifth is get quality sleep: Aim for at least seven hours of good sleep each night.

And the sixth is create a healthy environment: Minimize exposure to pollution and toxins whenever possible.

While there are some commercial tests and online calculators that claim to measure your biological age, the most accurate way is through medical tests done by healthcare professionals. So, if you’re curious about your biological age, talk to your doctor!

Remember, ageing is universal, but how you age is up to you. Keep making those healthy choices, and you might just keep your biological age feeling younger than your years!

So, the next time someone asks you how old you are, you can say, “My passport says I am 65, but my body feels like 45.”

For more information, visit Understanding the Differences and Factors That Affect Your Health

Read also:
When we age … what really happens inside our bodies
Telomerase: an enzyme that holds potential to change ageing