Do people of the same chronological age age faster or slower? The reason behind this lies in your epigenetic clock. It helps measure the pace at which our body is aging on a molecular level.
What is an Epigenetic Clock?
An epigenetic clock is a tool that helps estimate your biological age by examining the pattern changes in your DNA methylation. Chronological age represents the number of years since birth. Your biological age represents the cell and tissue conditions. Your cell and tissue health are influenced by:
- Diet
- Stress levels
- Environmental toxins
- Exercise habits
So, a question is often asked by your epigenetic clock, “How old is your body acting?”
Your epigenetic clock depends on the methylation biomarkers present in the genome. These markers change with aging. These markers help in understanding the aging speed and time of our bodies.
Horvath’s Clock and Its Significance
The most renowned and popular epigenetic clock is the Horvath clock. It was developed by Dr. Steve Horvath in 2013. Methylation data from 353 specific CpG sites across the genes are used by the Horvath clock to estimate accurate biological age.
Why is Horvath’s clock so significant? This is because it was the first model that proved epigenetic aging is uniform and quantifiable. It has opened the research possibilities in the field of anti-aging, lifestyle interventions, and age-related disease prediction.
Research around the Horvath clock indicates that individuals having a biological age more than their chronological age are at a higher risk of:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Cognitive decline
- Early mortality
On the other hand, a lower biological age indicates better overall health and a longer health span.