Epigenetic and Biological Age Testing for Older Adults: Advancing Longevity and Healthy Aging

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    Measuring Time: Epigenetic and Biological Age Testing for Longevity & Healthy Aging

    Epigenetic and Biological Age Testing for Older Adults: Advancing Longevity and Healthy Aging

    Discover your true biological age with DNA methylation biomarkers and personalized insights for healthy aging

    Understanding how fast you are truly aging can transform your approach to health. Epigenetic age testing analyzes DNA methylation patterns—molecular switches that turn genes on or off—to estimate your body’s functional age compared to your chronological age. For older adults, knowing one’s biological age offers a data-driven snapshot of systemic health, resilience, and cumulative lifestyle impact, helping illuminate pathways to enhanced longevity and vitality.

    Modern biological age and epigenetic testing tools provide actionable, longitudinal metrics that can support more targeted lifestyle strategies. By linking validated biomarkers to modifiable factors—such as nutrition quality, physical activity, sleep optimization, and stress management—older adults can track their personal “rate of aging” over time. Retesting at regular intervals helps assess response to interventions, refine habits, and sustain momentum toward healthy aging and improved well-being.

    When choosing an epigenetic age test, look for transparent methods, peer-reviewed algorithms, and rigorous lab standards to ensure reliability. Consider platforms that integrate results with practical recommendations, clear reporting, and privacy safeguards, and—when appropriate—coordinate insights with your healthcare provider. With the right tools and support, older adults can use biological age insights to personalize longevity strategies, monitor progress, and confidently advance a proactive, prevention-first approach to healthy aging.

    Order a test! Order annual subscription with 2 or 3 tests!
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    How Epigenetic Age Clocks Work and What They Measure

    From DNA methylation signatures to system-wide healthy aging insights

    Modern epigenetic clocks analyze patterns of DNA methylation at thousands of CpG sites to estimate your biological age and, in some models, your projected health risks. Well-known approaches include first-generation clocks (e.g., Horvath, Hannum) and next-generation models such as PhenoAge, GrimAge, and pace-of-aging tools like DunedinPACE. These algorithms, when run on validated lab data from blood, saliva, or buccal samples, can reflect systemic processes related to inflammation, metabolic health, and cardiometabolic risk. For older adults, this provides a practical, data-driven lens on longevity trajectories and how lifestyle may be shaping long-term health.

    Interpreting results centers on two ideas: your biological age relative to chronological age ("age delta") and your rate of aging (pace). A younger epigenetic age or a pace below 1.0 often indicates favorable trajectory, while a higher age or pace suggests opportunities for intervention. For reliable trend detection, use consistent sampling conditions (time of day, fasting status), and be mindful of short-term confounders such as acute illness, major sleep disruption, heavy alcohol intake, smoking exposure, or recent significant weight change. Many users retest every 3–6 months to gauge directionality, rather than chasing day-to-day fluctuations.

    Evidence-informed levers that may support a healthier epigenetic age include: a nutrient-dense, Mediterranean-style dietary pattern emphasizing vegetables, legumes, whole grains, high-quality protein, omega-3 fats, and polyphenol-rich foods; adequate methylation cofactors from whole-food sources (e.g., folate from leafy greens, choline from eggs), while avoiding indiscriminate megadosing of supplements; regular physical activity that blends aerobic conditioning, resistance training, and mobility work; consistent, high-quality sleep; stress management practices (mindfulness, breathwork, nature exposure); maintaining healthy body composition and glycemic control; and minimizing tobacco exposure and excessive alcohol. Together, these strategies can help improve the trajectory measured by biomarkers linked to healthy aging.

    When selecting an epigenetic testing platform, prioritize transparent algorithms, peer-reviewed validation, and rigorous lab quality (e.g., CLIA/CAP standards, batch controls). Look for clear reporting that explains your biological age, pace metrics, confidence ranges, and practical next steps, plus strong data privacy protections and options to share results with a clinician. For a comprehensive view of longevity and function, consider integrating results with complementary markers (e.g., HbA1c, lipids, hsCRP), fitness measures (VO2 max, grip strength), and subjective well-being. Set specific goals, implement targeted lifestyle changes, and schedule periodic retesting to track progress—turning insights into sustained, proactive healthy aging.

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    Get started with Longevity & Healthy Aging in 7 easy steps!

    • 1. Purchase a kit & create an account.

      Do not forget to buy the personalized nutrition advice and the 3-month Noory subscription to get maximum benefit for Longevity & Healthy Aging.

    • 2. Fill in 3 day food diary & survey

      In the survey select "Longevity & Healthy Aging" as your preferred target group. One FREE target group is included with every testkit.

    • 3. Take a stool sample

      And send it back in the return envelope with a prepaid return label. The return logistics and the laboratory process will generally take 3 to 4 weeks.

    • 4. View your results

      Once your results are uploaded and ready, you will receive an email. Login your dashboard to view all analysis results and recommendations. If you also included the nutrition advice and/or the 3-month Noory subscription in your purchase, these will also be available in your dashboard.

    • food recipe platform

      5. Noory platform

      If you bought the 3-month Noory subscription, you will receive direct access to personalized food recipes and meal plans on the Noory platform which AUTOMATICALLY take into account your gut microbiome nutrition advice, your allergies, intolerances and nutritional targets.

      Have ultimate real-time flexibility to choose the food recipes that you prefer to cook and eat. Accessible through desktop or mobile device.

    • health professional

      6. Link your Healthcare Professional (HCP) (optional)

      Both InnerBuddies and Noory are able to provide FREE access to the platform to your healthcare professional. But we need your EXPLICIT consent to do so given all privacy and health regulations. In the InnerBuddies platform you can also download all report sections in PDF format for sharing.

      Noory can also provide HCP access through NooryMed, a remote monitoring platform built for HCP's that allows sharing symptoms, food tracking and also takes into account Food - Drug interactions.

    • retest your gut health

      7. Retest your Gut Microbiome

      After your 3-month Noory subscription has ended, you can perform a new gut microbiome test and hopefully see the desired improvements in your test results. A new gut test will also update your nutrition recommendations and nutritional targets to the Noory platform so that you can start another 3-month improvement process. You can also select a new target group in the InnerBuddies platform if you want to set different objectives for the new 3-month period.

    The InnerBuddies module "Longevity & Healthy Aging" gives you insight in:

    • Gut Microbiome & Short-Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs)

      SCFAs contribute to anti-inflammation, gut health, and metabolic regulation, all linked to longevity. SCFA's functions as the base mechanism for the other categories. Butyrate gets high weight because of its robust evidence base in inflammation control, gut barrier integrity, and mitochondrial health — all critical for longevity. Propionate pathways are also key, especially for metabolic aging. Acetate is more abundant but generally has broader and more moderate effects; still important, especially as a substrate and signaling molecule.

    • Anti-Inflammatory & Immune Modulation

      Chronic inflammation accelerates aging; these pathways reduce inflammatory markers. Bile acids are among the most potent microbial immunomodulators with systemic relevance (gut-liver-brain axis, mucosal immunity). Tryptophan-derived indoles are among the most potent microbial immunomodulators with systemic relevance (gut-liver-brain axis, mucosal immunity). Polyamines offer both immunomodulatory and cell-protective benefits, especially in aging tissue. LPS and ammonia detox are supportive pathways—critical but more indirect in their effects.

    • Energy Metabolism & Mitochondrial Health

      Efficient energy metabolism supports cellular function, reduces oxidative stress, and enhances lifespan. TCA cycle and ETC dominate due to their centrality in mitochondrial health, bioenergetics, and ROS control — all of which are strongly linked to aging processes. Fat oxidation (FAO) supports metabolic flexibility, ketogenesis, and fasting states — overlapping with caloric restriction benefits. BCAA metabolism is double-edged: essential for mitochondrial function but excessive levels may promote mTOR activation and insulin resistance — balance is critical.

    • Cellular Repair, DNA Protection & Autophagy

      These pathways regulate DNA repair, cellular stress resistance, and autophagy, essential for longevity. Methionine / glutathione gets top weight for direct protection against oxidative stress, a primary driver of DNA damage. NAD⁺ biosynthesis is central to sirtuin-driven longevity mechanisms and DNA repair. Folate supports DNA stability but has more indirect or cofactor-like effects compared to the above.

    • Caloric Restriction & Fasting Mimicry

      Certain pathways mimic the benefits of fasting and caloric restriction, which are linked to lifespan extension.

    Targeted Recommendations

    The module "Longevity & Healthy Aging" provides you with targeted nuttrition recommendations. Targeted not only on your unique gut microbiome but also targeted on the metabolic pathways that, according to the latest scientific publications, are important for Longevity & Healthy Aging.

    • Personalized on the DNA of your own Gut Microbiome

      Receive nutrition recommendations that according to our self-learning algorithms and our large customer database have the highest impact on your own unique gut microbiome.

    • Approved by our Dieticians

      We use Responsible A.I. techniques and built an algorithm that uses both our own proprietary databases but also the knowledge and experience of our strong dietician team.

    • Actionable

      Nutrition recommendations that you can just buy in your local supermarket. For your convenience, we also provide daily dosage recommendations.

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    Focus on your Biological Age and support Longevity & Healthy Aging - Order the gut test that:

    • Provides a score between 0 and 100 of how your gut microbiome composition is optimized for Biological Age / Longevity / Healthy Aging
    • Provides detailed insight in how you rank for each of the microbial metabolic pathways that have been linked to Biological Age / Longevity / Healthy Aging according to the latest scientific publications
    • Uses a cutting-edge and science-based DNA technology
    • Provides you with nutritional and supplement recommendations based on your microbial results that are specifically optimized to lower your Biological Age and support Longevity & Healthy Aging
    • Is developed by an expert team of dieticians, specialists, and scientists to offer you the most accurate gut microbiome analysis
    Start your journey!

    How can InnerBuddies support in reducing your Biological Age and supporting Longevity & Healthy Aging?

    • Improved Digestive Health

      Optimizing the gut microbiome enhances digestion and nutrient absorption, ensuring the body gets vital vitamins and minerals necessary for cellular repair and maintenance, which supports overall health and slows biological aging.

    • Reduced Inflammation

      A balanced gut microbiome helps reduce chronic systemic inflammation—a major driver of aging and age-related diseases—thereby protecting tissues and organs and promoting healthy aging.

    • Enhanced Immune Function

      Gut health directly influences the immune system. Strengthening the microbiome boosts immunity, lowering the risk of infections and age-related immune decline, contributing to longevity.

    • Mental Health and Cognitive Function

      The gut-brain axis connects gut health with brain function. A healthy microbiome can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and support cognitive health, helping maintain mental sharpness with age.

    • Metabolic Health and Weight Management

      Microbiome-based nutrition helps regulate metabolism and blood sugar levels, reducing risks for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, which are linked to accelerated aging.

    • Antioxidant Support and Cellular Repair

      Supplements tailored to the gut microbiome can enhance antioxidant activity and promote cellular repair processes, protecting DNA from damage and slowing biological aging.