Lifestyle Changes, Diet and Supplements May Help Reduce Biological Age

A new study found that a plant-centered diet, combined with probiotic and fruit and vegetable powder supplements, may help reduce “biological age.” Emerging research is suggesting that biological age, which considers cell health, may be a better indicator of mortality and disease risk than chronological age.

Forty-three healthy males with an average age of 61 participated in the 8-week study. Half received sleep, exercise, and relaxation guidance, followed a plant-centered diet, and took supplements with 40 billion CFUs of Lactobacillus plantarum probiotic strains as well as a fruit and vegetable powder rich in phytonutrients.. The other half received no guidance or diet intervention.

To assess biological age, the researchers collected saliva samples at baseline and at the end of the study and measured the pattern of DNA methylation - using a method known as Horvath’s DNAmAge clock.  DNA methylation is a genetic process that happens naturally in our bodies, and certain patterns can help predict ageing and age-related disease risk.

Participants in the guidance, diet and supplementation group scored 3.23 years younger in biological age, on average, compared to the placebo group – decreasing their biological age by 1.96 years from baseline on average, compared to 1.27 years increase in the placebo group.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Institute of Food Medicine, American Nutrition Association and several universities. It was published online ahead of print on April 12, 2021 in the journal Aging.