New test reveals your biological age from a drop of blood |
While your birthday counts the years, a simple blood test can now reveal how fast your body is actually aging. Researchers developed a test that measures what they call “intrinsic capacity” (IC) — your ability to walk, think, see, hear, and remember. People with high IC scores lived 5.5 years longer than those with low scores.
The test analyzes DNA methylation patterns from one drop of blood or saliva. In a study of 1,014 people ages 20 to 102, those with the highest IC scores had better lung function, walked faster, had stronger bones, and felt healthier overall.
“This test tells us not just how old you are, but how well you are aging,” explains Dr. Thomas Holland from the RUSH Institute for Healthy Aging. “It may also offer a glimpse into your future health.”
The research found two key factors linked to higher IC scores: regularly eating oily fish and keeping sugar intake low (under 5% of daily calories). These simple diet changes seem to help preserve physical and mental function as we age.
To learn more about what makes this test different and how it could guide your health decisions, jump to “A simple blood test could indicate how long you might live.”
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