How Does GlycanAge Measure Biological Age?

One very exciting development in the longevity field is the creation of consumer tests that can measure your biological age. These tests translate the latest longevity research into user friendly tests that provide very valuable data. Your biological age provides insight into how well your body is aging and evaluates which lifestyle habits are best for you.

There are several different types of biological age tests. But, but this article will detail the science behind GlycanAge, the biological age test that we have used in our clinical trial at Nuchido.

GlycanAge measures your level of chronic inflammation

One of the key hallmarks of aging is chronic inflammation. This is the age associated increase in levels of baseline inflammation across the body, meaning there is inflammation occurring constantly, even when not required. This is incredibly damaging to cells and tissues and accelerates aging. Chronic inflammation is so pivotal to the aging process it has been termed ‘inflammaging’.

GlycanAge works differently from other biological age tests by measuring the levels of chronic inflammation in your body to determine how well you are aging. It does this by measuring the expression of something called Glycans.

What are Glycans?

Glycans are sugar molecules found on the surface of your cells. There are many different types of glycans, and their expression patterns change in accordance with your cellular health and lifestyle habits. Glycans can either be pro-inflammatory and accelerate aging or anti-inflammatory and promote youthful cellular function. During aging the expression pattern of glycans becomes more pro-inflammatory, which is known to be a key driver of the aging process. Nuchido TIME+ works to help prevent this shift toward pro-inflammatory glycans.

GlycanAge determines your biological age by analysing your unique glycome – the sum of all your glycans – and the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory glycans. The test analyses the glycan patterns on the most common antibody in your blood; immunoglobulin G (IgG). Those with accelerated aging and a high biological age will have more pro-inflammatory glycans, indicating high levels of chronic inflammation.

Biological age is a strong predictor of your future health. Research shows glycan expression can change up to 10 years prior to any presentable symptoms. This means GlycanAge can serve as a tool for early detection of future health problems and allow you to make early lifestyle interventions.

Take your test today and discover whether Nuchido TIME+ could be a helpful addition to your healthy-aging strategy.

Biological age is reversible

Your GlycanAge is determined by both genetics and environmental factors and whilst you can’t change your DNA, your lifestyle is responsible for around 80% of your biological age - meaning your GlycanAge is reversible!

Studies show that several lifestyle changes can lower your biological age, including:

1. Increasing your NAD+ levels

2. Incorporate Exercise

Studies show exercise reverses biological age and supports cellular health. It does this by creating energy stress in your cells, which activates the body's longevity and repair pathways. Any activity which creates short-term cellular stress is termed 'hormesis' other examples include cryotherapy, saunas and fasting.

3. Manage your stress

While short-term cellular stress, such as exercise, is beneficial for your cells, chronic psychological stress can increase inflammation and negatively impact your biological age. Incorporating stress management techniques such as meditation or breathing exercises can help shift your glycans towards a healthier, more youthful state.

4. Optimise your diet

Ensuring you eat a colourful and varied diet full of anti-inflammatory, polyphenol-rich and gut supporting foods is critical to aging well. Studies show that just increasing the number of plants in your diet (aim for 30 different plants a week) and changing nothing else can reduce biological age.

5. Get quality sleep

Ensuring you eat a colourful and varied diet full of anti-inflammatory, polyphenol-rich and gut-supporting foods is critical to aging well. Studies show that just increasing the number of plants in your diet (aim for 30 different plants a week) and changing nothing else can promote a more youthly glycan profile, reducing your biological age.

Now that you understand how poor glycan health can negatively impact your life and how important it is to know whether your glycome is healthy, check out GlycanAge and Nuchido TIME+ to start improving your glycan profile today.

If you have any questions, visit our FAQs or explore our TIME+ blog for in-depth information. You can also reach out to our customer support team, who are always happy to help with any questions.

And don’t forget to use code NUCHIDO for a 15% discount on a GlycanAge test or your order of Nuchido TIME+.”