Researchers affiliated with a U.S. nutrition and health institute have reported that adopting a diet and daily habits aligned with methylation processes can influence biological aging within eight weeks. The findings appear in a peer‑reviewed journal focused on aging science.
The study recruited men aged 50 to 72 who committed to a methylation‑supportive dietary pattern for eight weeks. Alongside dietary guidance, participants received recommendations on sleep quality, physical activity, and stress‑reduction techniques. The aim was to create a holistic lifestyle program that fosters the biochemical pathways involved in methylation, a key process in gene regulation and epigenetic aging markers.
Biological age in this context is estimated through DNA methylation patterns, an approach that has evolved as a sensitive biomarker of aging. Earlier work suggested that diets rich in nutrients essential for methylation could slow some aspects of aging when paired with lifestyle changes. Common elements of such a diet include foods high in folate, choline, betaine, vitamins A and C, and other micronutrients that support one‑carbon metabolism and methyl group transfer.
To quantify changes, researchers used a widely recognized epigenetic clock based on the Horvath DNAmAge framework, analyzing blood samples before and after the eight‑week program. On average, participants showed a reduction in biological age by about 3.2 years relative to a control group following usual habits. While the exact clinical implications require further study, the results align with the notion that modifiable lifestyle factors can influence epigenetic aging markers in real time.
Importantly, prior investigations had demonstrated similar improvements in biological age among female participants. The new study supports the idea that positive shifts in epigenetic aging markers can occur in both men and women, provided the participants begin from a generally healthy baseline. This suggests that the observed effects are linked to mechanisms of aging that extend beyond disease‑driven processes, reflecting broader changes in how the body manages methylation and metabolic pathways tied to aging biology.
Taken together, the findings underscore a practical message: a well‑constructed diet that supports methylation, when combined with structured sleep, exercise, and stress‑management strategies, may contribute to healthier aging trajectories. While not a guaranteed guarantee of extended health span, the intervention illustrates that everyday lifestyle choices can measurably influence epigenetic markers associated with aging, offering a potential avenue for individuals seeking nonpharmacological means to support healthy aging over time.