How old are you?
When asked this question, it’s likely you’re being asked about your chronological age.
But there’s another way to measure age…and it provides a more meaningful story about your health.
We’re talking about “biological age”.
Let’s look at the difference between chronological and biological age, and why your biological age may be the more important metric.
Chronological vs. Biological Age
Chronological age is the easiest way to measure age. It’s simply the number of years since you were born. But that number doesn’t say much of anything about your health.
Biological age, on the other hand, takes into consideration how well your body functions, as well how you feel.
Think of it this way:
Imagine you have two cars that are the exact same year, make, and model. One of these cars is in peak condition because it has been well maintained, hasn’t been in any accidents, and hasn’t had much exposure to the elements. But the other car is worn down and barely runs because it hasn’t had any routine maintenance, has been in some fender-benders, and has been parked outdoors in a harsh climate. What these two vehicles have “experienced” may not have affected the year they were made, but it certainly has affected how “old” they are in practical terms.
So, if your biological age is lower than your chronological age, this is a good thing. It means you’re aging well relative to how old you are. On the other hand, if your biological age is less than your chronological age, you’re at an increased risk for developing health issues prematurely.
How Is Biological Age Measured?
Unlike your chronological age, your biological age is more of an estimate than a precise measurement. It takes into consideration the relative condition of your cells, tissues, and organs, rather than being an absolute number.
Increasingly, doctors and scientists are using a combination of factors to estimate a person’s biological age. These include:
- DNA Methylation
How well your body methylates says a lot about the health of your DNA and your health overall.
- Telomere Length
Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of your chromosomes. They’re kind of like the plastic tips that keep your shoelaces from unraveling. With age, telomeres shorten, making you more susceptible to age-related health issues.
- Biometric Markers
Measurements like blood pressure, cholesterol, lung capacity, and body composition are all good indicators of biological age.
- Hormone Levels
Hormones make everything in your body work properly. As a consequence, hormone levels can say a lot about your biological age.
- Inflammatory Markers
Chronic inflammation increases the risk for developing illness and disease, thereby increasing biological age.
Why Biological Age Matters
The gap between your chronological age and your biological age can reveal a lot about your health.
If your biological age is lower than your chronological age, your body is aging well and you’re likely at a lower risk for age-related illnesses.
But if your biological age is higher than your chronological age, this can be a wake-up call to start making better lifestyle choices relative to your health.
For example, a 40-year-old who eats well, exercises, and manages stress might have a biological age closer to 30. While a 30-year-old with poor lifestyle habits might have a biological age of 40.
How to Reduce Your Biological Age
The good news is that healthy habits can help to lower your biological age. Here are some steps you can take:
- Eat a nutrient-rich diet. Focus on whole foods like fruit, vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. Be sure to include foods (or supplements) that are high in antioxidants. Avoid processed food, sugar, and unhealthy fats.
- Stay active. Regular exercise, including cardiovascular exercise and strength training, can help to keep your body young and strong.
- Get enough sleep. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body to repair and regenerate itself.
- Manage stress. Chronic stress can accelerate aging. Find ways to relax, like yoga, meditation, or spending time in nature.
- Avoid harmful habits. Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, a poor diet, and exposure to environmental toxins can speed up biological aging.
- Keep your hormones optimized. Imbalanced hormones can negatively affect the health of every system in your body. Maintaining balanced hormones via hormone replacement therapy can help to slow biological aging.
Don’t Just Live Longer…Live Better!
To summarize, your biological age is a good indicator of how well your body is holding up over time…and hugely impacts your quality of life as you age.
Fortunately, you can lower your biological age and improve your overall quality of life by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Want to improve your biological age? Renew Youth is here to help with bioidentical hormone therapy, supplement recommendations, and other solutions. To get started, call us at 800-859-7511 or use our easy contact form to schedule your complimentary 30-minute consultation.