The Summary
Researchers followed 699 adults for up to 24 years to determine if changes in epigenetic clocks over time predicted mortality. Epigenetic clocks measure biological age through DNA methylation patterns. The study found that individuals whose biological clocks accelerated faster had a significantly higher risk of death. Crucially, this held true regardless of their initial biological age or other health factors. This demonstrates that the rate of biological aging provides unique, independent insight into health trajectories beyond a single snapshot measurement.
Why this is interesting
We previously knew that a high biological age compared to your chronological age is linked to poor health. However, this study reveals that the speed at which you are aging is just as critical. Even if your biological age is low today, aging at an accelerated rate increases your risk of early mortality. This means future health interventions should not just focus on turning back the clock once, but rather slowing down the ongoing rate of your biological aging to extend your healthy years.