A groundbreaking clinical analysis shows we can reduce biological age (as measured by the Horvath 2013 DNAmAge clock) by more than three years in only eight weeks with lifestyle and diet through balancing DNA methylation.
A first-of-its-kind, peer-reviewed study offers scientific evidence that diet and lifestyle changes can provide immediate and rapid decrease of our biological age. Since aging is the principal driver of chronic disease, this reduction has the power to help us live better, longer.
The analysis utilized a randomized controlled clinical trial conducted among 43 healthy adult men between the ages of 50-72. The 8-week treatment system included sleep, diet, exercise and comfort guidance, and supplemental probiotics and phytonutrients, resulting in a statistically significant reduction of biological age–over three years younger, in contrast to controls.
The study was independently conducted by the Helfgott Research Institute, together with laboratory help from Yale University Center for Genome Analysis, and also the outcomes independently analyzed at McGill University and the National University of Natural Medicine.
The study’s lead author, Kara Fitzgerald ND IFMCP, said that “the combined intervention program was designed to target a specific biological mechanism called DNA methylation, and in particular the DNA methylation patterns that have been identified as highly predictive of biological age. We suspect that this focus was the reason for its remarkable impact. These early results appear to be consistent with, and greatly extend, the very few existing studies that have so far examined the potential for biological age reversal. And it is unique in its use of a safe, non-pharmaceutical dietary and lifestyle program, control group, and the extent of the age reduction. We are currently enrolling participants for a larger study which we expect will corroborate these findings.”
Leading epigeneticist Moshe Szyf PhD of McGill University and co-author on the study included, “The uniqueness of Dr Fitzgerald approach is that her trial devised a natural but mechanistic driven strategy to target the methylation system of our body. This study provides the first insight into the possibility of using natural alterations to target epigenetic processes and improve our well being and perhaps even longevity and lifespan.”
DNA methylation patterns have become a top means in which scientists evaluate and monitor biological aging, a word used to refer to the accumulation of damage and loss of function to our own cells, tissues and organs. This damage is what pushes ailments of aging. “What is extremely exciting,” commented Dr. Fitzgerald, “is that food and lifestyle practices, including specific nutrients and food compounds known to selectively alter DNA methylation, are able to have such an impact on those DNA methylation patterns we know predict aging and age-related disease. I believe that this, together with new possibilities for us all to measure and track our DNA methylation age, will provide significant new opportunities for both scientists and consumers.”