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Aging & age metrics

Biological age

The body's real age, independent of the passport age

A clock face, a DNA helix and blood tubes — the symbol of biological age

Biological age is an estimate of how worn the person's organs and systems are, in contrast to chronological age (the number of years lived). Two people of the same age can have a biological age that differs by 10–15 years.

It is estimated from biomarkers of aging — from routine blood tests to epigenetic clocks. Biological age predicts the risk of disease and death better than calendar age.

How it differs from calendar age

Chronological age is the same for everyone born on the same day, but their bodies wear out at different rates. Biological age reflects the real condition of cells, vessels, metabolism and organs. In two people of the same age it can differ by 10–15 years.

It is biological age, not calendar age, that more accurately predicts the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and all-cause mortality.

How it is measured

There is no single "gold standard." Several approaches are used: composite indices based on routine blood tests (for example, PhenoAge and Bortz Blood Age), epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation (GrimAge, DunedinPACE), as well as functional tests — grip strength, VO2max, walking speed.

What affects it and can it be lowered

Biological age is linked to smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle, chronic stress and diet. In observational studies a healthy lifestyle is associated with a "younger" biological age.

It is important to be honest: biomarkers predict risk well, but there is still not enough evidence that artificially "rejuvenating" these indicators by itself extends a person's life. This is an active area of research.

Calculate using this marker

Calculators where Biological age is used directly:

Biological Age Estimate A quick estimate from height, weight, and body measurements — no labs needed Open PhenoAge (Levine) Nine blood markers — the formula from Morgan Levine et al., 2018 Open Blood Age (Bortz) 22 biomarkers, the successor to PhenoAge — Bortz et al., 2023 Open

Frequently asked questions

Can biological age be lowered?

A healthy lifestyle (quitting smoking, physical activity, normal weight, sleep) is associated in studies with a younger biological age. But there is still no evidence that lowering the indicator itself guarantees a longer life.

How accurate is the biological age estimate?

Different methods give different figures, and each has a margin of error. It is more reliable to look not at a single value but at the trend over time and at a combination of several biomarkers.

Related terms

Chronological age Passport age — the number of years lived Epigenetic clocks An algorithm that predicts biological age from DNA methylation patterns Biomarker of aging A measurable indicator that reflects the body’s biological age PhenoAge Phenotypic biological age from 9 blood markers DunedinPACE An epigenetic measure of the pace of aging: how many biological years the body ages per calendar year Telomeres The protective "caps" at the ends of chromosomes — a marker of cellular aging Cellular senescence The irreversible arrest of division of an "aged" cell Healthspan The years of life lived free of serious chronic disease

Sources

  1. Levine et al. An epigenetic biomarker of aging for lifespan and healthspan (Aging, 2018)
  2. Wikipedia — Biomarkers of aging
  3. Wikipedia — Epigenetic clock
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This content is educational and does not replace consultation with a physician. Reference ranges may vary depending on the laboratory and method — rely on the ranges stated on your own test report.
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