Scientists from the U.S. Institute of Functional Medicine have found that a diet and lifestyle that promotes certain methylation can reduce people’s biological age in eight weeks. Research published in the journal aging.
Men aged 50 to 72 years were included in the study. They followed a methylation-promoting diet for eight weeks and received advice on sleep, exercise, and relaxation.
Determining biological age is usually done by evaluating DNA methylation. Previously, scientists have suggested that a special diet rich in substances required for methylation may contribute to the reduction of biological age due to lifestyle changes. A diet that promotes methylation is rich in folate, betaine, vitamins A and C, and other substances.
Biological age was assessed using the Horvath DNAmAge method using blood samples. On average, the biological age of the participants decreased by 3.23 years compared to the living-as-usual control group.
Previously, this intervention has been successfully tested on women. A new study has shown that positive changes in biological age can be achieved for both sexes. Also, all participants were healthy at the start of the study. This suggests that lifestyle changes directly affect mechanisms underlying aging rather than disease-related aging.