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With medical advances such as the unraveling of aging mechanisms, the concept of Longevity—living healthily longer and enjoying life—is gaining attention. This time, we introduce the history of the epigenetic clock test, one indicator for achieving Longevity.

What is the Epigenetic Clock Test?

 

Epigenetic clock testing is a method for measuring biological age. Even among individuals of the same chronological age, some appear younger while others appear older due to differences in the rate of aging progression. The speed at which humans age varies significantly between individuals and does not correlate with chronological age.

 

Biological age is used as an indicator of the progression of aging. It has also been shown that biological age, as measured by the epigenetic clock, correlates with visible aging.

 

There are several methods for measuring biological age, but the epigenetic clock test is currently considered the most reliable indicator. Developed by various researchers over time to reach its current form, the epigenetic clock test has a fascinating history. This article explores the history of the epigenetic clock test.

 

The epigenetic clock test is like a scale for dieting!

 

The epigenetic clock test can be thought of as something like a scale for dieting. If you don't measure your weight before and after dieting on a scale, you can't prove the diet's effectiveness, right?

 

Anti-aging care is no different. While various methods like dietary therapy and supplements are touted as effective, their true efficacy could only be proven by whether they actually led to a longer life.

 

The ability to accurately determine biological age now allows us not only to compare chronological age differences to gauge the progression of aging, but also to verify the effectiveness of anti-aging treatments.

 

In anti-aging medicine, aging is viewed as a disease, making approaches aimed at rejuvenating biological age possible. Demonstrating that biological age has been rejuvenated from X years to Y years allows for the objective assessment of treatment efficacy. Thus, the evolution of epigenetic clock testing holds significant importance.

 

History of Epigenetic Clock Testing

 

Representative epigenetic clock tests that have been studied to date include the following:

 

 

Here are the features of each.

 

First-Generation Epigenetic Clock Test "Hovarth Clock"

 

The epigenetic clock test first appeared in the world in 2013. It was invented by Professor Horvers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and is commonly known as the "Horvers Clock."

 

The "Hoover Clock" measured methylation at 353 genetic sites to determine biological age. It employed a machine learning approach to measure methylation patterns that change with age.

 

The second generation includes "PhenoAge" and "GrimAge," which combine biometric data.

 

The second generation, introduced in 2018, was "PhenoAge," followed by "GrimAge" in 2019. These tests combine the "Hoover Clock" with biomarkers from other tests.

 

A biomaker is an indicator that reflects biological changes in the body. It is used to indicate the state or progression of disease and to predict the effectiveness of treatment. It was developed with the aim of creating a more accurate epigenetic clock test.

 

The third generation is the "Dunedin Study," based on extensive research.

 

Then, in 2020, the third-generation epigenetic clock test was developed. Based on a cohort study conducted in the city of Dunedin, New Zealand, it is called the "Dunedin Study."

 

The cohort study followed over 1,000 individuals born in 1972 for 40 years, conducting longitudinal assessments of mental health disorders and comorbid conditions. It represents a large-scale study, with follow-up surveys conducted every two years from 1995 to 2005.

 

The Dunedin PoAm is an epigenetic clock developed by measuring the rate of change in each biomarker based on a 12-year follow-up study. The Dunedin PACE is based on an even longer 20-year follow-up study. Utilizing actual human research data with a larger dataset, it has become a highly reliable epigenetic clock test.

 

The content of the study confirming the efficacy of the epigenetic clock test is

 

Currently, the most evidence-based rejuvenation method in anti-aging medicine is dietary restriction (calorie restriction). A calorie restriction study involving over 200 participants has helped establish the effectiveness of epigenetic clock testing.

 

The study involved over 200 participants and examined changes in biological age due to calorie restriction across various epigenetic clocks, including the Horvath clock, PhenoAge, and Dunedin PACE. The results were somewhat surprising: only the Dunedin PACE clock showed a significant difference reflecting the rejuvenating effect. In other words, the other types of epigenetic clock tests failed to reflect the effects of anti-aging treatments.

 

It's like having a broken scale that should serve as a guide to reflect which anti-aging treatments suit you. Of course, calling it broken might be an exaggeration, but surely I'm not the only one who thinks there's little point in conducting tests that can't reflect the treatment's effectiveness.

 

As a result of this research, the development of epigenetic clock tests has been based on the Dunedin PACE study.

 

The Epigenetic Clock Test continues to evolve year after year.

 

Even after "Dunedin PACE," epigenetic clock testing continues to evolve.

 

In 2023, "OMICｍAge" emerged, capable of reflecting not only epigenetics but also RNA and protein expression, as well as aging phenotypes. "SymphonyAge," which can assess the biological age of individual organs—such as lung age, brain age, and kidney age—is reported to have become capable of actual measurement by 2024.

 

The evolution of epigenetic clock testing is advancing at a remarkable pace, showing no signs of slowing down.

 

For epigenetic clock testing, visit Bianca Clinic!

 

If you're wondering, "Where can I get tested to measure my biological age?", please consult Bianca Clinic. Bianca Clinic focuses on healthy longevity (Longevity) and is one of the few clinics in Japan offering epigenetic clock testing. We not only determine your biological age but also present your physical health status, disease risks, and prevention methods. We explore medical approaches to rejuvenate your biological age from within. Feel free to consult us about anything—recommended foods, sports, or muscle training methods.

 

For those of you who want to know your biological age or degree of aging, I hope you'll choose a reliable epigenetic clock test to get accurate results. Since it's not a cheap test, you wouldn't want it to be meaningless, right?

 

At Bianca Clinic, we always perform the latest epigenetic clock testing, so please feel free to utilize our services with confidence.

 

▷ Details and pricing for the Epigenetic Clock Test (Biological Age Test)Here