Epigenetics and Aging: Why the Date of Birth Doesn't Matter
How environmental factors and lifestyle influence our true age
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Chronological age is easy to determine — but it says little about the actual state of our bodies. Modern aging research therefore relies on Epigenetic age, caused by certain chemical changes to our DNA — so-called methylation — is determined. It reflects how “old” our cells really are.
A recent overview study, co-authored, among others, by Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov and Prof. Dr. Evelyne Bischof, shows how environmental and lifestyle factors profoundly influence epigenetic aging. Both are among the best-known researchers in the field of longevity medicine and argue for a translational approach that translates molecular findings directly into prevention and treatment.
How environmental factors affect epigenetic mechanisms
The graph presented in the study visualizes how various factors, including physical, chemical, psychological, and social, influence the epigenetic rate of aging.
These processes control how active our genes are — and therefore how healthy and “young” our organism remains on a cellular level.
What the study shows: Risk factors and their effects
Based on numerous individual studies, the meta-analysis demonstrates the connection between environmental stimuli and accelerated epigenetic aging:
- Smoking Accelerates epigenetic age by up to 2.5 years — an effect that can be reversible if stopped in time.
- Particulate matter pollution Especially particulate matter (PM2.5), has a pro-inflammatory effect and promotes aging processes.
- chronic stress Is associated with a higher rate of epigenetic aging — even independent of genetic predisposition and influences genes that are linked to inflammation and the immune system.
- Alcohol consumption In particular, influences the methylation of genes that are linked to metabolic and detoxification processes.
- Healthy eating and exercise On the other hand, show protective effects — with, in some cases, measurable rejuvenation of epigenetic age of up to 3 years in intervention studies.
“The epigenetic clock is an early indicator of the cumulative effects of lifestyle and environment.” -Prof. Dr. Evelyne Bischof.
A tool of the future: precision prevention
The epigenetic clock could play a central role in preventive medicine in the future. Because epigenetic changes often Years before the First Symptoms of Illness Occur, would they be as Early marker suitable for individual risks.
“Epigenetic markers have the potential to finally make prevention measurable and individual.” -Dr. Zhavoronkov.
In the future, they could, for example, show whether an intervention — such as dietary changes or stress regulation — is actually effective and serve as a feedback tool in personalized health programs.
How does the measurement of epigenetic age work?
Epigenetic age is measured using DNA methylation — small chemical tags on DNA that determine how active or silent a gene is. These methylation patterns change in a predictable way over a lifetime.
Blood or saliva is used for analysis, from which the epigenetic profile is obtained in specialized laboratories. Certain algorithms, so-called epigenetic clocks, calculate the biological age from this. In Europe, such tests are not yet generally available, but are increasingly being used as part of research and pilot projects.
What does that mean for healthy longevity?
The work of Zhavoronkov, Bishop and her co-authors impressively shows that our biological age is malleable. Epigenetics not only provides explanations, but also concrete starting points for prevention and a longer, healthier life. In the future, epigenetic analyses could become central components of personalized longevity medicine — with individually tailored recommendations and intervention plans.
However, despite promising results, the study also urges Be careful when interpreting. Many studies are based on snapshots, not on long-term observations. In addition, epigenetic clocks differ depending on methodology and objectives.
Conclusion: Age is (also) an echo of the environment
How we live, what we eat, how much stress we have — all of this leaves epigenetic traces. This insight is both a challenge and an opportunity: because anyone who knows the mechanisms can consciously counteract this. Research is thus laying the foundation for a paradigm shift: away from fateful aging — towards an actively configurable, healthier life path.
The next big step in longevity research will be to translate this knowledge into practical programs — for more precise, individualized health care.
References
Fedor Galkin, Olga Kovalchuk, Diana Koldasbayeva, Alex Zhavoronkov, Evelyne Bishop, “Stress, Diet, Exercise: Common Environmental Factors and Their Impact on Epigenetic Age,” Ageing Research Reviews, Volume 88, 2023, 101956, ISSN 1568-1637, doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101956.
Publiziert
4.6.2025
Kategorie
Lifestyle
Experte
Scientific Terms
Biological Age
Biological age is the age of cells in the body, which is determined by various properties and biomarkers that correlate with aging and decay in research.
Epigenetics
From ancient Greek π epi 'to, moreover, 'and genetics
Refers to changes in a cell's gene expression that do not involve a change in the DNA code. Instead, the DNA and histones around which the DNA is wrapped are “marked” with removable chemical signals (see demethylation and deacetylation). Epigenetic tags tell other proteins where and when to read the DNA. This is comparable to a post-it on a book page that says “Skip.” A reader will ignore the page, but the book itself hasn't been changed.
NAD
Nicotinamide adenine nucleotide, a chemical used for more than five hundred chemical reactions and for sirtuins, which remove aceryl groups from other proteins, such as histones, to turn off genes or give them cell protective functions. A healthy diet and exercise increase NAD levels. The “+” sign that you sometimes see, as in NAD, indicates that it has no hydrogen aroma.
Biomarkers
A specific substance, physical characteristic, gene, etc. that can be measured to indicate the presence or progress of a disease.
DNA Methylation Clock
Changes in the number and locations of DNA methylation marks on DNA can be used to predict lifespan and mark the time from birth. When an organism is epigenomically reprogrammed or cloned, the methyl labels are removed, reversing the age of the cell.
Chronological age is easy to determine — but it says little about the actual state of our bodies. Modern aging research therefore relies on Epigenetic age, caused by certain chemical changes to our DNA — so-called methylation — is determined. It reflects how “old” our cells really are.
A recent overview study, co-authored, among others, by Dr. Alex Zhavoronkov and Prof. Dr. Evelyne Bischof, shows how environmental and lifestyle factors profoundly influence epigenetic aging. Both are among the best-known researchers in the field of longevity medicine and argue for a translational approach that translates molecular findings directly into prevention and treatment.
How environmental factors affect epigenetic mechanisms
The graph presented in the study visualizes how various factors, including physical, chemical, psychological, and social, influence the epigenetic rate of aging.
These processes control how active our genes are — and therefore how healthy and “young” our organism remains on a cellular level.
What the study shows: Risk factors and their effects
Based on numerous individual studies, the meta-analysis demonstrates the connection between environmental stimuli and accelerated epigenetic aging:
- Smoking Accelerates epigenetic age by up to 2.5 years — an effect that can be reversible if stopped in time.
- Particulate matter pollution Especially particulate matter (PM2.5), has a pro-inflammatory effect and promotes aging processes.
- chronic stress Is associated with a higher rate of epigenetic aging — even independent of genetic predisposition and influences genes that are linked to inflammation and the immune system.
- Alcohol consumption In particular, influences the methylation of genes that are linked to metabolic and detoxification processes.
- Healthy eating and exercise On the other hand, show protective effects — with, in some cases, measurable rejuvenation of epigenetic age of up to 3 years in intervention studies.
“The epigenetic clock is an early indicator of the cumulative effects of lifestyle and environment.” -Prof. Dr. Evelyne Bischof.
A tool of the future: precision prevention
The epigenetic clock could play a central role in preventive medicine in the future. Because epigenetic changes often Years before the First Symptoms of Illness Occur, would they be as Early marker suitable for individual risks.
“Epigenetic markers have the potential to finally make prevention measurable and individual.” -Dr. Zhavoronkov.
In the future, they could, for example, show whether an intervention — such as dietary changes or stress regulation — is actually effective and serve as a feedback tool in personalized health programs.
How does the measurement of epigenetic age work?
Epigenetic age is measured using DNA methylation — small chemical tags on DNA that determine how active or silent a gene is. These methylation patterns change in a predictable way over a lifetime.
Blood or saliva is used for analysis, from which the epigenetic profile is obtained in specialized laboratories. Certain algorithms, so-called epigenetic clocks, calculate the biological age from this. In Europe, such tests are not yet generally available, but are increasingly being used as part of research and pilot projects.
What does that mean for healthy longevity?
The work of Zhavoronkov, Bishop and her co-authors impressively shows that our biological age is malleable. Epigenetics not only provides explanations, but also concrete starting points for prevention and a longer, healthier life. In the future, epigenetic analyses could become central components of personalized longevity medicine — with individually tailored recommendations and intervention plans.
However, despite promising results, the study also urges Be careful when interpreting. Many studies are based on snapshots, not on long-term observations. In addition, epigenetic clocks differ depending on methodology and objectives.
Conclusion: Age is (also) an echo of the environment
How we live, what we eat, how much stress we have — all of this leaves epigenetic traces. This insight is both a challenge and an opportunity: because anyone who knows the mechanisms can consciously counteract this. Research is thus laying the foundation for a paradigm shift: away from fateful aging — towards an actively configurable, healthier life path.
The next big step in longevity research will be to translate this knowledge into practical programs — for more precise, individualized health care.
Experte
Referenzen
Fedor Galkin, Olga Kovalchuk, Diana Koldasbayeva, Alex Zhavoronkov, Evelyne Bishop, “Stress, Diet, Exercise: Common Environmental Factors and Their Impact on Epigenetic Age,” Ageing Research Reviews, Volume 88, 2023, 101956, ISSN 1568-1637, doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2023.101956.
Publiziert
4.6.2025
Kategorie
Lifestyle
Wissenschaftliche Begriffe
Biological Age
Biological age is the age of cells in the body, which is determined by various properties and biomarkers that correlate with aging and decay in research.
Epigenetics
From ancient Greek π epi 'to, moreover, 'and genetics
Refers to changes in a cell's gene expression that do not involve a change in the DNA code. Instead, the DNA and histones around which the DNA is wrapped are “marked” with removable chemical signals (see demethylation and deacetylation). Epigenetic tags tell other proteins where and when to read the DNA. This is comparable to a post-it on a book page that says “Skip.” A reader will ignore the page, but the book itself hasn't been changed.
NAD
Nicotinamide adenine nucleotide, a chemical used for more than five hundred chemical reactions and for sirtuins, which remove aceryl groups from other proteins, such as histones, to turn off genes or give them cell protective functions. A healthy diet and exercise increase NAD levels. The “+” sign that you sometimes see, as in NAD, indicates that it has no hydrogen aroma.
Biomarkers
A specific substance, physical characteristic, gene, etc. that can be measured to indicate the presence or progress of a disease.
DNA Methylation Clock
Changes in the number and locations of DNA methylation marks on DNA can be used to predict lifespan and mark the time from birth. When an organism is epigenomically reprogrammed or cloned, the methyl labels are removed, reversing the age of the cell.
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