British scientists have discovered a simple new molecular blood test that can predict the “actual age” of the human body, which is different from the “chronological age”.
The discovery was made by a team of scientists from King’s College London. According to the scientists, considering the “biological age” is more useful and accurate than using a date of birth in predicting the rate of ageing in a human being.
Biological Age - the Real Predictor of Healthy Life
Scientists are now looking at biological age as a real predictor of healthy life. According to them, a person who is 40 years of age might have a body of an 80-year-old due to poor lifestyle and vice versa.
The new test looks for an ageing signature in our body’s cells by comparing the behaviour of 150 different genes.
How was the test developed?
The test was developed by initially comparing 54,000 markers of gene activity in healthy but largely sedentary 25 and 65year-olds and then bringing them down to a final 150.
Rather than looking for genes associated with disease or extreme longevity, the researchers discovered that the ‘activation’ of 150 genes in the blood, brain and muscle tissue were a hallmark of good health at 65.
The researchers then created a reproducible formula for ‘healthy aging’, that can be used to tell how well a person is aging when compared to others born the same year.
