From the Guidelines
Yes, it is possible to determine someone's biological age through blood tests, though these methods are still evolving. Blood-based biological age tests typically analyze biomarkers like DNA methylation patterns (epigenetic clocks), telomere length, inflammatory markers, metabolites, and protein levels that change predictably with aging, as discussed in a 2021 study published in JAMA Oncology 1. These tests work by comparing an individual's biomarker profile to reference databases of age-related changes. The results can differ from chronological age, potentially indicating whether someone is aging faster or slower than expected based on their calendar years.
Some of the key biomarkers used in these tests include:
- DNA methylation patterns, which have been shown to be highly correlated with chronological age and predictive of earlier mortality, declines in function, frailty, and brain aging 1
- Telomere length, which serves a biological role in aging and shortens after exposure to cancer therapy, and has been associated with overall mortality and chronic disease development 1
- Inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein, which are associated with frailty, functional and cognitive decline, and death in cancer patients, and can be modified by interventions like physical activity 1
- p16INK4a expression, which reflects specific processes underlying aging, such as cellular senescence, and has been reported to increase after breast cancer chemotherapy and radiotherapy 1
The accuracy of these tests varies, and interpretation should be done cautiously as this is still an emerging field. While these tests can provide insights into aging processes, they should be viewed as estimates rather than definitive measurements, and results are most meaningful when tracked over time or used alongside other health assessments. A 2019 study published in Genome Biology discussed the scientific challenges and recommendations for the use of DNA methylation clocks as a biomarker of biological aging 1.
In terms of clinical application, a 2021 study published in JAMA Oncology presented a conceptual framework of life course biological aging and described a research agenda to facilitate clinical translation to oncology practice 1. The study suggested that one or more of these measures could be useful in cancer care, either alone or in combination with clinical history and geriatric assessments. However, further research is needed before biological age assessment can be recommended in routine practice.
From the Research
Determining Biological Age through Blood Tests
- It is possible to determine somebody's biological age through blood tests, as studies have identified parameters based on standard laboratory blood tests that can predict mortality hazards and morbidity independent of chronological age 2, 3.
- These parameters include metabolic, cardiovascular, inflammatory, and kidney functioning biomarkers that can be used to calculate biological age 2.
- The BioAge R package is a software package that implements three published methods to quantify biological aging based on analysis of chronological age and mortality risk, and can be used to score biological age in new datasets 3.
Methods for Assessing Biological Age
- There are several methods to determine an individual's biological age through the measurement of biomarkers of ageing, including Klemera and Doubal's method, principal component analysis, multiple linear regression, PhenoAge, and Hochschild's method 4.
- Klemera and Doubal's method has been proven to be the most reliable, but there is still no consensus on a gold standard for measuring biological age 4.
- The choice of biomarkers of ageing, especially the inclusion of chronological age as a biomarker of ageing, can affect the difference between biological ageing scores 4.
Relevance of Other Studies
- Studies on dietary treatment to lower cholesterol and triglyceride and reduce cardiovascular risk 5, and saturated fats and cardiovascular health 6, are not directly relevant to determining biological age through blood tests, but may provide insight into the relationship between biomarkers of ageing and cardiovascular health.