A decade ago, when I was in my mid-40s and prioritizing fitness and diet, I had my biological age measured. The results were encouraging—I was roughly six years biologically younger than my chronological age. Now, considering the weight gain, reduced exercise, a heatwave, and the profound loss of my wife, I wouldn’s be surprised if my biological age is significantly higher.
It turns out, I might not be alone in experiencing accelerated aging. Scientists are observing a concerning trend: people born after 1965 are aging biologically faster than those born a decade earlier. This means age-related diseases are appearing in younger individuals.
“We’re seeing cancers increase in younger populations, people under 40 experiencing heart attacks and diabetes,” says Paulina Correa-Burrows, a social epidemiologist at the University of Chile. “My answer to why is simple: we’re aging faster.”
While some factors are unavoidable, many contribute to this shift and can be addressed. Here’s how we can potentially slow down the aging process and keep our biological and chronological ages aligned.
Measuring Biological Age
The best way to track aging speed is to measure biological age and repeat the measurement over time. Antonello Lorenzini at the University of Bologna advocates for epigenetic clocks—tests that analyze DNA modifications—as the most accepted tool. Though not perfect, these tests can identify individuals aging faster or slower than their peers.
Chronological age (the number of years lived) isn’t always a reliable indicator of aging. In some individuals, there’s a significant difference between their chronological and biological age. This difference can be 10 years or more, and, unlike chronological age, biological age can decrease as well as increase.
The Obesity Connection: Adipaging
Early indications of accelerated aging came from obesity research. In 2016, Beatriz Gálvez at the National Centre for Cardiovascular Research in Spain noticed significant overlap between the effects of obesity and those of aging. Both are characterized by dysfunctional fat tissue, leading to metabolic problems, inflammation, and damage to organs like the kidneys, bones, and cardiovascular system.
Gálvez wondered if ništa was the direct cause of aging, or if both were results of something else. She coined the term “adipaging” to describe how excess fat can accelerate the aging process.
The Rising Tide of Early-Onset Disease
The link between aging and disease is gaining attention beyond the obesity field. Accelerated aging is common in childhood cancer survivors, who often experience frailty and early mortality due to treatment side effects. They are also at higher risk for cancer later in life.
Paige Green at the US National Cancer Institute believes accelerated aging might explain the rise in early-onset cancers, heart failure, and strokes. She and her colleagues proposed that accelerated biological aging could make people more vulnerable to cancer.
A recent study by Ruiyi Tian at Washington University in St. Louis analyzed blood samples from nearly 150,000 people in the UK Biobank. This revealed that those born after 1965 showed a 17% increase in signs of accelerated aging compared to older generations. The study also linked accelerated aging to an increased risk of early-onset cancers.
The Underlying Causes of Accelerated Aging
While obesity is a primary driver, it’s not the sole culprit. Other factors include:
- Stress hormones: Elevated cortisol levels (due to stress, pollution, or early childhood adversity) can accelerate aging.
- Sedentary lifestyles: Lack of physical activity contributes to aging.
- Environmental factors: Exposure to heatwaves can trigger aging processes.
Slowing Down the Clock
So, how can we fight back against accelerated aging?
- Exercise: Physical activity is crucial for slowing down the aging process.
- Caloric Restriction: While not always feasible, limiting calorie intake can promote longevity.
- Sleep: Prioritizing sleep allows the body to repair and restore itself.
- Avoiding unhealthy habits: Limiting alcohol consumption and quitting smoking can contribute to slower aging.
- Future possibilities: Medications like Ozempic may offer further opportunities to influence biological aging in the future.
Ultimately, understanding the factors contributing to accelerated aging empowers us to make lifestyle choices that promote longevity and healthspan, potentially minimizing the gap between our chronological and biological ages
