Biological Age vs. Chronological Age: Redefining Age in the Digital Era

What when you may gradual—and even reverse—the best way your physique ages? A brand new wave of health-tech startups, powered by synthetic intelligence and cutting-edge medical analysis, is making it doable to measure not simply what number of years you’ve lived but in addition how properly your physique is definitely getting old.

The idea of “organic age” isn’t new, nevertheless it’s more and more gaining traction amongst medical specialists, who say it may remodel how we method preventive care, well being optimization, and getting old.

“That transition—from candle-counting to function-assessment—is important. It permits us to care much less in regards to the quantity and extra about how somebody’s physique is definitely doing,” Dr. Invoice Kapp, CEO of longevity analysis firm Fountain Life, advised Decrypt. “Two people could be 60 on paper however have considerably completely different dangers for coronary heart illness, reminiscence loss, or restoration from sickness.”

Kapp defined that specializing in organic age alters how healthcare suppliers follow preventive drugs.

“It isn’t about ready for issues however seeing early wear-and-tear and appearing earlier than issues crumble. That is a better technique to age,” he stated. “It gives people with a greater alternative to remain sturdy and impartial longer—no matter what the calendar says.”

The idea of organic age is attributed to British doctor Alex Consolation’s 1969 examine, “Take a look at-Battery to Measure Getting older-Fee in Man.” Consolation’s examine was groundbreaking as a result of it launched the notion of organic age as a substitute for chronological age for assessing how an individual is getting old.

Age is commonly seen as only a quantity—however not all numbers inform the identical story. Chronological age is just what number of years you’ve got been alive; organic age displays how properly—or poorly—your physique is functioning relative to that quantity.

An individual may be 40 years previous on paper, but when their physique operates like a 50-year-old, then that is their organic age. As a result of the physique is nearer to 50, the particular person may face elevated dangers for age-related illnesses comparable to cardiovascular points, most cancers, or cognitive decline. Conversely, a decrease organic age may sign higher well being and an extended potential lifespan.

With longevity consciousness changing into extra of a spotlight in healthcare, a rising variety of health-tech firms are growing instruments to trace and reverse organic getting old. In keeping with a December 2024 report by market analysis agency Priority Analysis, the anti-aging trade is anticipated to succeed in $140 billion by 2034.

A rising market of apps

Unsurprisingly, the variety of instruments claiming to trace or reverse organic age is rising, too. However which of them work—and the way do you select? In keeping with Dr. David Cheishvili, chief innovation officer at EpiMedTech World, organic getting old isn’t one thing that may be measured with only one quantity, calling it a fancy course of that performs out throughout completely different programs within the physique.

“There are numerous biomarkers folks discuss—telomeres, gene expression, metabolism— however for my part, DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks are presently probably the most dependable in relation to estimating organic age,” Cheishvili advised Decrypt. “If a platform consists of these and makes use of peer-reviewed, validated strategies, that’s often a superb signal it’s grounded in strong science.”

Let’s break that down. DNA methylation-based epigenetic clocks estimate an individual’s organic age by measuring chemical adjustments to their DNA that accumulate over time.

Because the co-developer of the epiAge epigenetic age check, which analyzes DNA methylation knowledge from saliva, Cheishvili identified pink flags that customers ought to be careful for when selecting a long life app.

“The very first thing to remember is that these firms are promoting one thing—and that’s effective, nevertheless it means try to be cautious,” he stated. “Should you see huge claims about reversing getting old with a complement and there’s no scientific knowledge or peer-reviewed analysis behind it, that’s a pink flag. Actual change takes time, consistency, and proof—not magic capsules.”

One other firm seeking to assist the monitoring of organic age is Rejuve AI. Launched in 2023, Rejuve AI is an AI-powered longevity analysis community co-founded by Jasmine Smith and Dr. Ben Goertzel, the founding father of decentralized AI developer SingularityNET.

Earlier this month,, Rejuve AI launched “Longevity,” a cell app that tracks a number of metrics, together with weight, sleep, and weight loss plan. These metrics are mixed to offer customers their organic age.

“Organic age is changing into one thing that we have to develop biomarkers for once we discuss measuring how a lot we’ve improved or reversed getting old,” Smith advised Decrypt.

Rejuve.AI’s not too long ago launched Longevity app is a part of a broader decentralized science motion that makes use of wearable integrations, well being knowledge, and synthetic intelligence to estimate and assist cut back customers’ organic ages.

Smith famous that curiosity in well being and longevity is rising yearly, pushed by high-profile moments like the discharge of Bryan Johnson’s Netflix documentary “Don’t Die,” and the recognition of ideas like Blue Zones.

“Initiatives like Make America Wholesome Once more are additionally pushing conversations about meals high quality and long-standing well being considerations into the highlight,” she stated. “On the similar time, personalised and preventative care is gaining traction—even in mainstream drugs, the place extra clinicians are embracing holistic approaches. It’s an thrilling time to be a part of this shift.”

A variety of different platforms additionally assist monitor organic age and supply insights into getting old. InsideTracker’s InnerAge 2.0 makes use of blood biomarkers to estimate age and provides personalised well being ideas. AgelessRx’s Organic Age Calculator analyzes way of life and lab knowledge to recommend anti-aging methods. Elysium Well being’s Index measures DNA methylation to offer exact epigenetic age estimates.

AI meets longevity science

Consultants highlighted that synthetic intelligence is likely one of the most promising instruments remodeling longevity science proper now.

“I’m truly fairly enthusiastic about how AI is getting used on this area. It’s giving us new methods to investigate advanced knowledge and spot patterns we wouldn’t catch in any other case,” Cheishvili stated. “For researchers working in getting old, AI feels a bit like what calculators have been to mathematicians—it doesn’t do the pondering for you, nevertheless it makes the work a lot quicker and extra highly effective.”

Constructing on that potential, Dr. Helen Messier, chief medical and science officer at Fountain Life, stated AI is already making significant progress in well being and longevity. Nonetheless, she famous, the know-how faces limitations that require cautious consideration because it evolves.

“Ethically, there’s a rising want to make sure this knowledge isn’t misused by insurers or employers,” Messier. “As this area evolves, now we have to deal with organic age like some other delicate medical knowledge—with privateness, consent, and fairness in thoughts.”