Home / Glossary / Biomarker of aging
Aging & age metrics

Biomarker of aging

A measurable indicator that reflects the body’s biological age

A panel with DNA, telomeres and test tubes converging into a scale — biomarkers of aging

A biomarker of aging is a measurable biological indicator that reflects biological age and the rate of aging more accurately than the number of years lived. An ideal biomarker predicts future health and lifespan better than calendar age.

They include epigenetic clocks, the length of telomeres, inflammatory markers and composite indices from blood tests.

What a biomarker of aging should be

An ideal biomarker of aging, by the generally accepted criteria, should: predict the rate of aging better than calendar age; reflect a fundamental process of aging rather than a specific disease; be measurable safely and reproducibly; and, where possible, work both in humans and in the laboratory. In practice no single indicator meets all the criteria at once.

The main types of biomarkers

Molecular: epigenetic clocks (PhenoAge, GrimAge, DunedinPACE) and the length of telomeres. Inflammatory: C-reactive protein and other inflammatory markers. Also composite indices from blood tests and functional tests — grip strength, VO2max.

What is proven

Epigenetic clocks are the strongest of the known predictors of mortality. But for now no biomarker is recognized as a surrogate "endpoint": lowering an indicator does not guarantee a longer life. It is therefore more reliable to assess several biomarkers and their dynamics rather than a single number.

Calculate using this marker

Calculators where Biomarker of aging 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

Which biomarker of aging is the most accurate?

There is no single best one. For predicting mortality the strongest are the epigenetic clocks (GrimAge, DunedinPACE). In practice it is more reliable to combine several biomarkers.

Can biomarkers of aging be improved?

Many of them are linked to lifestyle: diet, activity, quitting smoking. But there is still not enough evidence that improving the biomarker itself directly extends life.

Related terms

Biological age The body's real age, independent of the passport age Epigenetic clocks An algorithm that predicts biological age from DNA methylation patterns PhenoAge Phenotypic biological age from 9 blood markers GrimAge A second-generation epigenetic clock — the best predictor of mortality and disease Telomeres The protective "caps" at the ends of chromosomes — a marker of cellular aging C-reactive protein A marker of inflammation in the body Inflammation markers Blood substances (hs-CRP, interleukins, ESR) that indicate chronic inflammation — a key mechanism of aging and most chronic diseases. Allostatic load The accumulated wear on the body from chronic stress

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — Biomarkers of aging
  2. Levine et al. An epigenetic biomarker of aging (Aging, 2018)
  3. Lu et al. DNA methylation GrimAge predicts lifespan (Aging, 2019)
info
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.
← All glossary terms