Worried About Accelerated Aging? Try Epigenetic Testing.

You’ve heard it before, age is just a number, but for some people the body ages faster than the progression of time –– a state called accelerated biological aging. In simple terms, you are more likely to develop health problems if your pace of aging is accelerated. Faster-than-average biological aging is one of the most important predictors of chronic disease. 

The good news is you can identify and then slow, stop, or even reverse this process with an epigenetic test. Ahara’s epigenetic test measures your rate of aging and biological age and uses that information, along with your biomarker and nutrigenetic data, to give you the most precise food and supplement plan to slow aging. 

Here’s how it works.

Chronological Age vs. Biological Age 

First, the definitions. Aging is measured in two ways –– chronologically and biologically. To understand why epigenetic testing is important, you need to know what sets these two measurements apart.

Chronological Aging

Chronological aging is the number of years you’ve been alive. Every year, you have a birthday that adds to your chronological age but it really doesn’t tell you how healthy you are or how likely to suffer from a chronic disease.

Biological Aging

Biological aging is how old your cells and tissues are based on specific physiological markers. 

If you exercise regularly, eat a diet rich in key nutrients like omega 3 and polyphenols, optimize sleep, and manage your stress, your biological age might be significantly less than your chronological age. Conversely, if you live a sedentary lifestyle and rely on processed food for most meals, your biological age might be much higher than your chronological age, and the speed at which you are aging each year could be much too fast, also known as accelerated aging.

A growing body of research suggests that measuring your rate of aging can help people more accurately predict their risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer  in the future.^[1] And, by understanding how your biological age varies from your chronological age, you can take steps to improve your health today and decrease your risk of future chronic disease.

Understanding Epigenetic Markers

The only way to measure biological aging is by analyzing biologic markers on hundreds of genes. These markers bind to your DNA, and can silence (turn off) or amplify (turn on) certain parts of your genes. Lifestyle factors, like diet, exercise, stress, and environmental pollutants significantly impact these markings which in turn contribute to your natural aging process. Even though these epigenetic markers do not change your DNA. DNA methylation is one of the most commonly studied epigenetic markers.

Understanding DNA Methylation

DNA methylation is an epigenetic mechanism that your cells use to control gene expression. There are several mechanisms involved in this process, but DNA methylation is generally responsible for turning specific genes “off”. ^[2] 

When a gene is in the “off” position, it no longer provides directions for making proteins; essentially, it stops functioning. Scientists have tied this process to adverse outcomes, including the onset of chronic disease and premature death.

Measuring Biological Age with the Ahara Epigenetic Test

Our epigenetics testing laboratory uses the DunedinPoAM rate of aging algorithm.^[3] The lab looks at over one million locations on your DNA and this information the resulting algorithm is considered the gold standard in biological rate of aging measurements, and uses 18 biomarkers of organ system function to measure your rate of aging.

All Preferred and Premium Ahara members receive the epigenetic test. The test is quick and convenient and provides key insights into your health. Your results also include actionable guidance for food and supplements to help slow aging and improve your well-being.

How Your Pace of Aging Impacts Your Personalized Nutrition Plan

After we receive the results of your epigenetic test, they are combined with your health survey and other test results in our patent-pending AI-enabled algorithm. This combination of information delivers you the most precise nutrition plan for your body. 

More specifically, it focuses on the nutrients your body needs to slow your rate of aging  through meals, food lists and recipes rich in your body’s key nutrients. Our custom supplements are recommended only when you can’t get enough of a nutrient from food alone. Ahara’s approach enables you to easily eat for longevity at every meal. 

In the case of epigenetics, knowledge truly IS power. Through improved nutritional, medical, and environmental choices, you can slow the pace of aging and reduce your risk of chronic disease. 

How to Take the Ahara Epigenetic Test

Ahara’s epigenetic test is an at-home finger-prick test. After becoming a Preferred or Premium member, you’re mailed a kit that contains:

• Sterile lancets
• Collection card or laboratory test tube
• Instructions
• Return shipping envelope

Read the included instructions carefully. Then, prick your index finger with one of the sterile lancets and place a few drops of blood in the designated spots on the collection card or inside the laboratory test tube.

Slip the completed collection card or sealed laboratory test tube inside the return shipping envelope and place it in the mail. You will be notified by email and SMS when your test results, and recommendations for food and supplements, are available in your Ahara My Data dashboard.

Start to slow aging today with Ahara.

Learn Your Biological Age

‍

‍