How Old Are You Really? 4 Ways Age-o-type Reveals Your Body’s True Age
They say “age is just a number” – and now there’s scientific proof to that effect. According to a recent study from Stanford University School of Medicine, the amount of candles on your birthday cake has little to do with how old you are biologically. Lead researcher Michael Snyder and his team have identified four specific “age-o-types” – metabolic, immune, hepatic, and nephrotic – to determine how different areas of the body age at different rates and how these changes can indicate future health issues.
“Our study captures a comprehensive view of how we age by studying a broad range of molecules and taking multiple samples across years from each participant,” said Snyder in a January 2020 report. “We’re able to see clear patterns of how individuals experience aging on a molecular level – and there’s quite a bit of difference.”
For the study, 43 healthy men and women ranging in age from 34 to 68 were closely observed over a two-year period. Samples of feces, blood, genetic material, microbes, proteins, and other byproducts of metabolic processes were taken during at least five wellness checkups, and the levels of biological molecules were tracked over time.
Through extensive examinations of the samples, the researchers discovered 608 molecules that could be used to predict age-related health problems. These biomarkers were then categorized into the four age-o-type classes.
“The age-o-type is more than a label,” Snyder explained. “It can help individuals identify health risk factors and find areas of potential problems in the future.”
Snyder and his team defined four distinct age-o-type categories: metabolic, immune, hepatic, and nephrotic.
Metabolic
People categorized under metabolic age-o-type have a greater likelihood of developing heart disease, obesity, and type 2 diabetes due to the rapid aging of their metabolisms. Despite being at higher risk for weight-related diseases, individuals with a metabolic age-o-type can still have a stronger immune system than someone much younger.
Immune
An immune age-o-type refers to an individual whose immune system is aging more rapidly than the rest of their body. This increased maturity often leads to inflammation throughout the body, increasing the risk of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.
Hepatic
Hepatic age-o-type is characterized by a fast-aging liver, which detoxifies the blood of substances like alcohol and drugs. Rapid aging can decrease the liver’s ability to function properly, making individuals with a hepatic age-o-type more susceptible to cirrhosis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Nephrotic
Nephrotic age-o-type refers to the kidneys, which filter waste from the blood, balance bodily fluids, and help manage blood pressure. Individuals with quickly aging kidneys may experience high blood pressure and renal failure later in life.
Although the realities of poor health in old age can be grim, Snyder emphasizes that a person’s age-o-type doesn’t determine their fate. It provides an opportunity to make healthy lifestyle improvements to avoid future sickness. “Our study shows that it’s possible to change the way you age for the better,” he assured.
Participants in the study who adopted healthier lifestyles were able to slow their biological aging over time. By losing weight, quitting smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, and managing blood pressure and glucose levels, they reduced their risk of age-related diseases.
Reversing biological age has become a trend, with people like tech guru Bryan Johnson spending millions of dollars on bio-hacking to make their body’s biological makeup resemble that of a younger person. However, Snyder’s study suggests that adopting healthier ways of living can yield similar results.
“I was a bit disappointed to see that I was aging at a pretty average rate,” Snyder admitted. “But I started lifting weights right around that time. It’ll be interesting to see if that influences my aging pathways in another year’s time.”
Ultimately, the study shows that age is not solely determined by the number of candles on your cake. Understanding your age-o-type can help you make informed decisions about your health and potentially slow down the biological aging process.
