For over a decade, I haven’t eaten seafood or meat. Besides taking daily multivitamins, I don’t really go overboard on supplements.
While I generally feel healthy, I started to wonder: Does my vegetarian diet contribute positively to my aging, or is it a hidden drawback?
I turned to the Functional Health Biological Age Test. This service claims to assess how your body is aging internally and enables you to take charge of your health.
Dr. Mark Hyman, the founder, explained my results, which, well – let’s just say they weren’t overly alarming, but also couldn’t be ignored.
Understanding Biological Age
So, biological age: What exactly is it? It’s not just how many birthdays you’ve celebrated; it reflects how your body is aging at a cellular level.
More companies nowadays are offering tests that supposedly reveal biological age by analyzing factors like gut bacteria, blood proteins, and even your DNA.
Function Health started offering biological age tests in 2023, with backing from well-known figures like Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal.
The testing process generally involves two rounds for a fee of $499 annually. The initial phase includes 105 lab assessments, followed by a follow-up after several months to see how diet changes or exercise affect the outcomes.
This involves providing numerous blood and urine samples over two visits.
After about a week, my results were ready along with tailored insights from functional health professionals.
I found out my biological age was estimated to be 20.8 years younger than my actual age – or maybe it was 4.2, I’m still processing that.
“You’re doing better than average,” Hyman informed me, yet also added a caveat: “But keep in mind, these calculations are primarily drawn from health metrics of the sick population.”
Interestingly, the CDC reports that around 60% of adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic illness, and about 40% deal with more than two.
Issues Detected
The test screened for 102 biomarkers in my blood, and 11 of them fell outside the expected ranges.
According to Hyman, signs such as low vitamin D and low iron levels could clearly indicate a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle.
While these nutrients can be found in plant-based foods, they are generally more abundant in certain animal products like fatty fish.
Hyman also suggested that my low vitamin D might come from not getting enough sunlight. Like many people, I’m often indoors, which doesn’t help.
Vitamin D plays a role that goes beyond bone health; it supports immune function, mood, and muscle strength. A deficiency can lead to fatigue or, even worse, chronic illnesses.
I also had low levels of ferritin, which is a protein that stores iron.
Low ferritin can drain your energy, lower your immune defenses, and may lead to more serious issues over time.
Then there were the omega-3 levels; they didn’t look great either. The results pointed to low amounts of EPA, DHA, and DPA, all essential fatty acids necessary for brain, heart, and overall cell health. An imbalance might be linked to various health issues.
Less than Ideal News
Apart from the vitamin deficiencies, my insulin levels were a bit of a concern.
While they were still within an “acceptable” range, they indicated that I might be working hard to manage my blood sugar.
“This is typical for vegetarians and vegans,” Hyman noted, due to a higher carbohydrate intake often associated with these diets.
If insulin sensitivity drops, it can complicate weight management and muscle growth, and, if left unchecked, might even lead to pre-diabetes.
Alarming Finding
One particular reading made Hyman stop in his tracks: my very high homocysteine levels.
The normal range is up to 10.4 micromoles per liter, but mine was at 27.8.
Hyman explained that this could be linked to a genetic mutation called MTHFR, which is crucial for processing B vitamins.
If that gene isn’t functioning correctly, homocysteine can build up and pose health risks.
Elevated levels are associated with heart disease, cognitive decline, and other serious conditions.
Hyman advised, “You must take this seriously, but thankfully, it’s relatively simple to fix.”
Meat Isn’t Necessary
All the flagged issues can potentially be addressed without resorting to meat.
“Often, vegans and vegetarians start to experience health declines after a few years because they were okay initially,” he explained. “You don’t necessarily have to eat meat, but you will likely need a steady regimen of supplements.”
Function Health laid out a comprehensive plan for me.
Top 5 Foods to Incorporate:
- Pasture-raised eggs
- Adzuki beans
- Black beans
- Black-eyed peas
- Chickpeas
Foods to Avoid:
- Peanut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Corn oil
- Safflower oil
- Shortening
Recommended Supplements:
- Berberine
- Fiber
- Red yeast rice
- Vitamin D
- Iron Bisglycinate + Vitamin C
- Folic acid
- B6 and B12
Hyman also suggested I look into genetic testing for MTHFR mutations.
“Identifying this can be really pivotal; I didn’t figure it out until my 50s or 60s,” he noted.
Despite the 11 biomarkers that raised red flags, I told him I felt great overall.
His response? A reality check.
“You often don’t recognize the weight of an elephant until it steps down from your foot,” he said. “All these factors have a significant impact on your long-term health.”
He concluded by advising regular blood tests at least once a year to monitor biomarker changes. With the recommended adjustments, Hyman believes my biological age will decrease even further in the months to come.
For now, I’ll be exploring the supplement aisle.
