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 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 to 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.
Glycans are sugar molecules that regulate inflammation
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.
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.
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:
- Increasing your NAD+ levels
- Incorporate Exercise
Studies show exercise reverses biological age and supports cellular health. It does this by creating energy stress in your cells, which activate 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.
- 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 mediation or breathing exercises can help reverse biological age.
- 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.
- Get quality sleep
Sleep is the time when your body can repair and recover, therefore having consistent quality sleep is critical to feeling your best. A lack of sleep accelerates aging because it increases inflammation, damages mitochondria, alters production of hormones and impairs nutrient sensing pathways.
The development and availability of tests such as GlycanAge which measure your rate of aging, give unprecedented insight into your biology and how your lifestyle habits impact your cellular health. If you want to measure your GlycanAge you can use code NUCHIDO at checkout for 15% discount.