01 SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION:

Biological age is a concept that refers to the aging that occurs from the accumulation of cell and tissue damage throughout the body. When determining one’s biological age, many factors may be taken into consideration, including protein and DNA methylation markers. Unlike our chronological age, which is defined as the time that has passed at any given moment since our birth, biological age varies among different people (with a deceleration in people with healthy habits and an acceleration in people with unhealthy habits), and can even be reversed!

02 THE LONGEVITY CONNECTION

Longevity scientists are interested in studying biological aging. We explore lifestyle and genetic factors that contribute to the accumulation of cell damage in our organs, and its impact on the body. To combat the effects of biological aging, we are dedicated to discovering technologies that target cell damage, with the objective to delay the onset of cellular senescence and age-related disease. Our main objective at OneSkin (shared across the longevity field!) is to reverse biological aging, as shown possible in studies involving a small number of participants (Fahy et al., Aging Cell, 2019).

01 SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION

Age-related diseases are diseases that occur with increased incidence associated with aging. Common age-related diseases include Alzheimer’s Disease, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Maculopathy, Osteoarthritis, Osteopenia, Parkinson’s Disease, Periodontitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and Sarcopenia.

02 THE LONGEVITY CONNECTION

Some longevity scientists consider that extending healthspan - in other words, fighting age-related diseases - is the most straightforward strategy to extend lifespan. It’s also important to keep in mind that the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with aging is, of course, a great path for preserving quality of life in advanced years.

01 SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION

The period of life spent in good health, free from chronic disease, and disabilities of aging.02 THE

02 LONGEVITY CONNECTION

Modern medicine places significant importance on the extension of lifespan, yet most individuals want to age with grace and good health, suggesting that quality of life is much more important. Faced with this dilemma, longevity scientists like ourselves are dedicated to studying measures that can extend the healthy, high-quality portion of human life.Interestingly enough, the average American has a lifespan of 79 years, but an average healthspan of 63 years. This means that an American spends almost 16 years (20%) of one’s lifespan living with disease.If you want to ensure a healthy AND high quality of life, research suggests that lifestyle factors play an integral role in promoting healthspan.
Aim to use the recommendations below as a general guide to kick-off healthy habits:

Abstain from smokingEngage in regular physical movement

Consume a healthy diet composed largely of fruits, nuts, vegetables, whole grains, fish and dairy.

Maintain strong social networks, psychological support systems, and allow for opportunities to engage in human interaction.

Develop coping mechanisms to aid in stress relief.

Practice periodic fasting

01 SCIENTIFIC DEFINITION

Research has shown that during aging, our cells present alterations in their DNA methylation pattern. In humans, many labs have used the patterning of DNA alterations to correlate an individual’s chronological age and health status, therefore constituting a reliable parameter to quantify biological aging.

02 THE LONGEVITY CONNECTION

Longevity scientists are interested in studying biological aging. Currently, their main strategy is to analyze the molecular DNA age of blood or even specific organs, which correlates with organismal health and accumulated damage. Interestingly, each tissue in our bodies follows a unique aging process, which is what inspired us at OneSkin to develop a skin-specific aging algorithm to calculate the molecular DNA age of skin in humans.