In the final episode of our three-part series on longevity, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Matt Kaeberlein, the Chief Executive Officer of Optus Span Inc., an affiliate professor at the University of Washington, and a co-founder of the Dog Aging Project. Dr. Kaeberlein's work focuses on the biological processes underlying aging and age-related diseases, offering a fresh perspective on how we can enhance both human and animal health. This blog post delves into the key themes discussed in the episode, providing actionable advice and detailed insights into the science of biological aging.
Chronological Age: This is the number of years a person or animal has lived. It's a fixed measure that doesn't account for the individual variations in how we age.
Biological Age: This refers to the physiological changes that occur in an organism over time. Unlike chronological age, biological age can vary widely among individuals based on genetics, lifestyle, and environmental factors. For example, a three-year-old poodle may be chronologically three years old but biologically more like 20 or 25 in human terms.
Biomarkers are indicators of biological processes and are commonly used to measure biological aging. Some of the key biomarkers include:
Biological age clocks involve patterns of measurable factors that can provide insights into an individual’s health status and future health risks. However, these clocks often reflect health status rather than a definitive measure of biological age.
Dr. Kaeberlein cautions against relying on direct-to-consumer biological age tests, as they often provide more noise than signal. These tests typically measure molecular markers in blood or saliva, focusing on epigenetics. However, they lack the rigorous quality control and validation necessary to provide reliable results.
Epigenetics is one of the twelve hallmarks of aging, which are categories that help us understand the biological processes associated with aging. Other hallmarks include telomere shortening, mitochondrial dysfunction, and more. Focusing on just one hallmark, like epigenetics, provides an incomplete picture of biological aging. A comprehensive approach that considers all twelve hallmarks would offer a clearer understanding of an individual’s biological age.
Key Questions:
Practical Tips:
VO2 Max: This measures aerobic capacity and declines with age. Regular exercise can help maintain a higher VO2 max, which is correlated with better health outcomes.
Chronic stress can accelerate biological aging. Practices like mindfulness, meditation, and regular physical activity can help manage stress levels.
Understanding biological aging and how to influence it is a complex and evolving field. Dr. Matt Kaeberlein's insights highlight the importance of a proactive approach to health, focusing on prevention and optimization rather than merely reacting to disease. By considering factors like genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures, we can take actionable steps to enhance our healthspan and lifespan.
For more information on Dr. Kaeberlein's work and to follow his journey, visit the Optus Span website and check out the Optus Span podcast, which features scientific insights on longevity and actionable advice for individuals on their healthcare journeys.
By diving deep into the nuances of biological aging, this blog post aims to provide valuable and engaging information for readers, optimizing it for search engines and ensuring it stands out as a comprehensive resource on the topic.
