Researchers have created new tools, referred to as “body clock” tools, which can help calculate biological ages and even forecast the risk of disability and mortality.
The University of Washington (UW) School of Medicine unveiled this tool, using eight different metrics derived from patient physical exams and blood tests, as explained in a recent press release.
This methodology, called the Health Octo Tool, is detailed in a publication from May 5 in Nature Communication.
Researchers argue that their approach is broader than existing health evaluations, which usually zero in on specific diseases rather than the patient’s overall health. Dr. Shabnam Salimi, the report’s lead author, noted this perspective in her comments as a physician scientist at UW’s School of Anesthesiology & Pain Medicine.
Based on extensive data from longevity studies, the Health OCTO tool has shown the ability to predict disability, geriatric syndromes, quick assessments of lower body function, and mortality rates with over 90% accuracy.
Dr. Salimi explained, “Aging-focused frameworks pave the way for identifying biomarkers and treatment options that target either organ-specific or broader systemic aging rather than focusing solely on distinct diseases.”
The tool emphasizes “health entropy”, a measure of the molecular and cellular wear and tear accumulated over time, which impacts organ functionality and overall health. This can be instrumental in determining an individual’s aging speed.
The method begins by assigning a count of body organ diseases, ranging from 1 to 14, based on any history of ailments affecting organs like the heart, lungs, or brain.
“Our research shows that different organ systems age at varying rates,” Salimi remarked, “which led us to craft age metrics that reflect the unique aging rates of each organ system’s clock.”
This expanded understanding essentially defines the internal clock as a combination of overall aging metrics for both internal systems and body age.
The tool includes two components: the Speed Body Clock and Speed Body Age, which assess how biological age impacts physical abilities, including walking speed.
These metrics also evaluate how aging influences cognitive function and physical disabilities, according to the release.
Salimi pointed out a key takeaway from the study: early untreated hypertension could significantly influence aging. This suggests that addressing such conditions promptly may slow biological aging.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to create digital applications that can help individuals monitor their biological age, observe aging speed, and evaluate the effects of lifestyle changes.
As Salimi stated, “Whether it’s a new diet, exercise, or long-term medication, users can visualize their body’s response and that of specific organ systems.”
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon with a focus on longevity but not involved in this tool’s development, shared his thoughts on its potential benefits and hurdles.
He emphasized that the tool presents a practical framework for clinical applications utilizing easily accessible physical exams and routine lab tests. “The app aims to empower patients and might motivate healthier habits, positively impacting health spans,” he mentioned.
However, Osborn cautioned that these biological aging clocks have inherent limitations. Aging is not a straightforward or fully quantifiable process, he pointed out, affected by numerous known and unknown factors, be they genetic or environmental.
“It’s an analog process in many respects,” he said, acknowledging that the model may not fully capture the complexities involved.
Osborn also noted that UW’s tool doesn’t factor in specific genetic influences on biological aging. “These aging clocks may fall short when applied across diverse populations or predicting individual life expectancies,” he added.
Instead of strictly determining biological age, he recommends using such tools to identify trends over time.
“For instance, Health Octo could effectively measure how individuals respond to various interventions like new exercise routines or medications,” Osborn explained.
Ultimately, he asserted, it’s about using comprehensive testing to help foster lifelong health habits. “If we can draw attention to health issues and improve a person’s condition, even slightly, that’s a success,” he concluded.
This research was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Aging.
