In a world where the elixir of youth has been the stuff of myths and legends, a groundbreaking study might have just found the key to turn the proverbial hourglass. A pilot randomized clinical trial has shown that a comprehensive diet and lifestyle intervention has the potential to reverse aging at the epigenetic level in healthy adult males, a first in the scientific community. The study, conducted on 43 healthy adult males between the ages of 50-72, was spearheaded by an international team of researchers, whose findings have been published in the prestigious journal Aging.
The study has stirred up the scientific community as it directly tackles one of the most intriguing aspects of human existence – aging. We are living in an era where life expectancy has reached unprecedented heights, bringing forth a pressing need for strategies that not only extend lifespan but also improve the quality of our later years, known as the ‘healthspan’. This groundbreaking research aims to address this very issue by focusing on the potential of lifestyle modifications to slow down biological aging1.
During the eight-week trial, the treatment group was put on a program that included diet, sleep, exercise, and relaxation guidance, along with supplemental probiotics and phytonutrients. The control group, in contrast, received no intervention. The researchers utilized genome-wide DNA methylation analysis, a cutting-edge technique that allows for the examination of epigenetic changes, to track the effects of the intervention. The results were nothing short of remarkable.
The diet and lifestyle treatment was associated with a 3.23 years decrease in DNAmAge, an epigenetic measure of biological aging, compared with the control group. More impressively, the DNAmAge of those in the treatment group decreased by an average of 1.96 years by the end of the program, indicating a potential ‘reversal’ of their biological age. Additionally, notable changes were observed in blood biomarkers, with a significant increase in mean serum 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (+15%) and a decrease in mean triglycerides (-25%), both important indicators of health and well-being2.
