Biological age testing
Estimating how worn the body is from blood markers, epigenetics or telomeres
A number meant to say how old the body is rather than how many birthdays it has had. The methods differ a lot: epigenetic clocks read DNA methylation, some scores are built from routine blood markers such as A1C, blood pressure and inflammation, others count telomere length or blood metabolites. They disagree with each other, sometimes by years, which is why researchers who use them tend to run several and take an average instead of trusting one. Consumer kits are widely sold and there is still no agreed standard.
Who backs it
Sorted by strength of stance
- Valter LongoDiscusses
Biogerontologist · The Longevity Diet
Asked which test he rates, he names Morgan Levine's score, the one built from everyday blood markers such as A1C and blood pressure. Where several tests disagree, he suggests averaging them instead of keeping the kindest result.
Source: ZOE Science and Nutrition: Fasting and biological age with Dr. Valter Longo
Aimed at the same thing
Other entries filed under longevity.
- Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Resistance training
Lifting weights 2-4 times a week to build and hold muscle
Backed by 41 of 54 stacks: 36 do it, 3 recommend it, 2 have discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Time-restricted eating
Confining food to a set window, often 8-10 hours a day
Backed by 21 of 54 stacks: 13 do it, 0 recommend it, 8 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Protein-forward eating
Roughly 1g of protein per pound of target bodyweight, spread across meals
Backed by 19 of 54 stacks: 15 do it, 3 recommend it, 1 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Mid: Roughly $50 to $500, or up to $50/month.
Sauna
Regular heat exposure, often 4 sessions a week at 20 minutes
Backed by 17 of 54 stacks: 11 do it, 3 recommend it, 3 have discussed it - ProtocolFREE, no cost
Zone 2 cardio
Easy aerobic work you can hold a conversation through, 3+ hours a week
Backed by 12 of 54 stacks: 5 do it, 5 recommend it, 2 have discussed it - Protocol$$$Cheap: Roughly under $50, or under $15/month.
Cycling
Steady riding, outdoors or on a stationary bike, as daily low-intensity cardio
Backed by 8 of 54 stacks: 8 do it, 0 recommend it, 0 have discussed it
Protocol entry · notes paraphrased from cited sources, quoted excerpts copied from the transcript they link to. Not medical advice. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reviewed by anyone listed. How this works.