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Epigenetic clock

What is an Epigenetic Clock?

The epigenetic clock concept uses DNA methylation biomarkers to measure age, and helps back the theory that there is evident variation in the chronological rate of aging (years old) vs. an individual’s personalized biological aging process. Researchers believe that certain lifestyle and environmental factors may influence epigenetic regulation mechanisms that can play an important role in an individual’s susceptibility to disease and unique aging process.There are several different variations of the ‘clock’ out there, the first being known as the Horvath clock, yet they all have the same goal in attempting to understand why humans all age differently. 

What is Epigenetic Aging?

Epigenetic aging measures aging differently than typical chronological age, by instead using certain biomarkers such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and immune signaling to assess how well the body is withstanding biological decline. Epigenetic aging takes into account external factors that may physiologically impact aging, such as physical and mental health, diet, lifetime stress, and social class, that chronological aging does not.