Your passport says 45; your body might say 40 or 50. That is the idea behind biological age. Tests for it are popular and offered more and more often. Here you find out how they work, how much you can trust them and what to do with the result.
- Biological age aims to show how old your body seems compared with your date of birth.
- There are different methods, and their results can differ from one another.
- A test does not replace a medical examination, but it can be a prompt to act.
What biological age is
Chronological age counts the years since you were born. Biological age tries to estimate how old your body seems compared with other people your age. The idea: two people aged 50 can have aged very differently, depending on genes, lifestyle and environment.
How it is measured
The best-known method is the so-called epigenetic clock. It measures changes to DNA that shift with age, usually from blood or saliva. Other approaches combine blood values, fitness and further measurements.
- Epigenetic tests from blood or saliva
- Combinations of blood values such as inflammation, blood sugar and blood lipids
- Fitness measures such as endurance, grip strength or balance
A number is a beginning, not a verdict.
What the tests say and what they do not
Research into biological clocks is exciting but still young. Different tests can give different results for the same person. A test is not a diagnosis and does not predict how long you will live.
The number becomes useful when a doctor interprets it with you and links it to concrete values such as blood pressure, blood lipids or fitness. Then it can be a prompt to change something, and a benchmark to check it later.
As part of a check-up
Some longevity houses offer biological age tests as part of their programmes. Whether and which test is offered is best asked directly at the house. More important than the number itself is the conversation afterwards and a plan that fits your everyday life. Privately paid tests usually cost a few hundred euros.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is a biological age test?
Results can differ depending on the method and provider. See the number as an estimate, not an exact value.
Can I lower my biological age?
Studies suggest that lifestyle factors such as exercise, sleep and diet can influence the values. But there are no guarantees.
Will health insurance pay for the test?
Usually not. Such tests are generally paid privately.
Luxly does not provide medical advice. Whether a programme suits you is something to discuss with the house's medical team or your own doctor.
