Aging is a natural process that has been a concern for humans for centuries. However, a recent study has shown that it is possible to stop or even reverse the aging process, and it is easier than one might think. The study, conducted by the Institute for Functional Medicine and published in the Aging journal, found that the epigenetic age of healthy men between the ages of 50 and 72 can be significantly reduced in just eight weeks.
While the chronological age of a person is easy to determine, the biological age is more difficult to ascertain. It is determined by analyzing the DNA and examining epigenetic modifications. These modifications are responsible for the activation or deactivation of certain genes, and they change over time. Some modifications break down, while others are blocked. Previous studies have shown that the increasing inefficiency of these modifications can lead to age-related diseases, such as tumors and inflammation.
The study involved 43 healthy men who were asked to make some lifestyle changes for eight weeks. They were required to sleep for at least seven hours a night, exercise for at least 30 minutes a day, practice breathing exercises, and follow a diet that was low in animal protein and carbohydrates and high in vegetables. They were also given a plant-based supplement and were not allowed to eat between 7 pm and 7 am. The results showed that the epigenetic age of the participants had decreased by an average of 1.96 years in just eight weeks. In contrast, a control group that did not make any lifestyle changes had an average increase in epigenetic age of 1.27 years.
According to the study’s lead author, Kara Fitzgerald, this is the first randomized controlled clinical trial to demonstrate a reversal of the epigenetic aging process. The significant changes in biological age were attributed to the special diet, which included nutrients from green vegetables, nuts, and cabbage. Combined with more exercise and sleep, this diet can promote health and rejuvenate the biological age. Further studies will be conducted to determine the extent to which this rejuvenation affects overall health.
