By Dr. Francis R. Palmer III, board-certified facial plastic surgeon and author of “What’s Your Number?”
How is 60 the new 40? While the calendar may say you are 60-years-old, if your cellular health is in good shape, your actual age could be 40. How so? That is your biological age, or the age your cells are acting.
How Old Are We Really?
Take today’s date, subtract your birth date, add some candles on your birthday cake and presto, you have your chronological age. Calculating biological age, however, requires specific testing since it is a measurement of how old your cells are acting. This is the one time when “not acting your age” is a good thing. The younger your biological age is, the better health you will be in towards the end of your life, and everyone wants that. To calculate, use an at-home saliva-based, DNA methylation test. Multiple researchers say DNA methylation patterns indicate aging and are a good measure of the potential onset of chronic diseases. Further, scientists agree that directly influencing DNA methylation could reset DNAmAge (or biological age) leading to more youthful cell metabolism.
What Influences Biological Age?
We know biological age is important, but what factors cause it to increase or decrease? Three main categories can impact biological age:
· Genetics: DNA acts as a roadmap for how cells operate and function. The next two categories affect how DNA is expressed. This is called epigenetics. If DNA is the body’s computer hardware, epigenetics is the software program that allows the body to express and perform specific functions.
· Biological: This includes existing acute or chronic disease. Also, the body may lack one or more key metabolic components for healthy cell function and balance. An example would be a deficiency in AKG (alpha-ketoglutarate), an endogenous metabolite essential for every cell to produce energy. See more on AKG below!
· Environmental: Lifestyle choices influence the body’s environment and cellular aging. Cellular damage increases as cells age and are exposed to behavioral and environmental stresses like smoking, sedentary lifestyle, sun damage, poor diet and emotional stress, which all promote increased inflammation.
Reducing Biological Age
Many assume the only way to keep cells young is to avoid negative environmental factors mentioned above and to maintain a healthy diet, practice intermittent fasting and exercise daily. Studies have shown fasting and exercising reduce biological age, but only by about two years after more than one year of rigorous lifestyle changes.
The good news is that scientific discoveries are optimizing our approach to biological age. A recent randomized retrospective study published in the journal Aging, shows that taking a patent-pending, blend of calcium-AKG (CaAKG) in supplement form (Rejuvant), for seven months decreased biological age by an average of eight years. It is most interesting that participants in the study only took Rejuvant and made no major lifestyle changes.
Take Two Pills And Don’t Call Me In The Morning
How could a daily dose of Rejuvant affect biological age so dramatically? Here’s the science: Our DNA methylation patterns change as we age, which may alter or turn off gene expression. Also, the amount of AKG produced by the body tapers off. AKG levels can decrease 10-fold between the ages of 40 and 80. You cannot get AKG from food, so supplementation is necessary to increase levels. I came on board as chief medical officer for Ponce de Leon Health, the makers of Rejuvant because of its unique influence on healthy aging from the inside out. Rejuvant is a timed-released form of CaAKG produced at a high potency and purity, specifically designed for increased absorption and effect. The Buck Institute for Research on Aging, discovered that gender specific CaAKG formulations optimized outcomes. Following this research, we created a men’s formula with vitamin A plus CaAKG, and the women’s formula with vitamin D plus CaAKG.
Healthy diet and exercise are still incredibly important to maintain for good health. However, this new research is exciting and provides us another way to live a happy and healthy life as long as we continue to age.
Biography:
Dr. Francis Palmer is a world-renowned, board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and author of “What’s Your Number?” with more than three decades of practical experience in medicine. He consults as chief medical officer for Ponce de Leon Health, the makers of Rejuvant, a company dedicated to developing drug-free solutions scientifically proven to extend overall longevity, while simultaneously increasing healthspan and reducing biological age for better health. An honors graduate of San Diego State University, Palmer received his medical degree from the University of California – Irvine. Following his residency at USC-LA County Medical Center, he completed a fellowship with the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and is board certified in that specialty.
Twitter: @DrFrancisPalmer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrFrancisPalmer
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drfrancispalmer
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX3aO2IqQlUECH_fCW2OGWg
Website: www.drpalmer.com and https://rejuvant.com/
The Editorial Team at Lake Oconee Health is made up of skilled health and wellness writers and experts, led by Daniel Casciato who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We aim to provide our readers with valuable insights and guidance to help them lead healthier and happier lives.
