The Science Behind Reversing Time

Before society's "medical revolution" and the discovery of antibiotics, life spans were relatively shorter and the most common health conditions were diseases. Now, in a world that has defeated airborne diseases, age becomes the largest risk factor for conditions that are not only physical, but mental. Therefore, it is imperative to combat age-related conditions and find ways to delay aging. Additionally, delaying aging can delay many other health conditions (such as cancer), which in turn benefits public health and the economy.

What is the DNAmAge clock?

DNA Methylation is the process of adding methyl groups (a common building block of molecules) to cytosine (a part of DNA). This process works as a mechanism to control gene expression. These methylation sites are also associated with aging. Therefore, they act as one of the best markers for detecting epigenetic age.

Epigenetic age reflects the actual aging process of cells and tissues. Methylation is a good method of tracking age because over time, scientists have found that certain sites increase or decrease.

The best methylation-based clock is the multi-tissue DNAmAge clock. The clock uses age-related patterns of DNA methylation to create a prediction of someone's age. It has proven to predict mortality better than chronological age.

The Study

In order to test how lifestyle and diet changes truly impacts health, researchers have introduced dietary recommendations and generalized measures of health.

Exercise:

• Minimum 30 minutes daily, at least 5 days a week, at 60-80% exertion

• No excessive exercise (accelerated methylation seen in elite, competitive athletes)

Mental Health:

• Daily breathing exercises (done twice a day, for 20 minutes total)

  • Cumulative stress is linked to accelerated aging

• At least 7 hours of sleep

  • Accelerated aging also found in those with insomnia

The researchers' end goal was to examine of the DNAmAge clock could be slowed down. Early studies found that the clock could be set back by 1.5 over the course of a year of lifestyle. Two other studies found that age could be reduced with diet changes and dietary supplements.

Materials and Methods

Figure 1. Flow Diagram - Choosing Study Subjects

The main focus of the study's lifestyle changes was diet. Participants stopped taking any non-prescribed supplements 3 weeks before the study (excluding low supplement pills, such as fish oil and various vitamins). Participants were put in strict restrictions against alcohol and recreational drugs, and given a strict list of foods and pills they needed to intake.

For reference:

• Dietary prescription (per week)

  • 3 servings of liver (organic)

  • 5-10 eggs (free range)

  • 2 cups of dark leafy greens (kale, spinach, collards, etc.)

  • 2 cups cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, bok choy, brussel sprouts, arugula, radish, turnip, mustard greens)

  • 3 cups colorful vegetables (carrots, etc.)

  • 4 tbsp pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds

  • Choose from (methylation adaptogens - help regulate methylation cycle)

    • ½ cup berries

    • ½ tsp rosemary

    • ½ tsp turmeric

    • 2 cloves garlic

    • 2 cups green tea

    • 3 cups oolong tea

  • 6 oz animal protein

  • 2 servings low glycemic fruit (cause lower spikes in blood sugar)

    • berries, citrus fruits, stone fruit

  • Stay hydrated, no eating from 7 pm to 7 am, avoid sugar, avoid plastic containers

• Prescriptions

  • PhytoGanix → vegetables, fruits, seeds, herbs, plant enzymes, prebiotics and probiotics, 2 doses daily

  • UltraFlora Intensive Care → Lactobacillus plantarum (a bacteria commonly found in fermented foods), 2 doses daily

After the study, which went on for 8 weeks, saliva was extracted from the volunteers and analysed for epigenetic age. This website was utilized by the researchers.

Results

Figure 3. Intervention Group Age Change

Researchers found no net increase or decrease in DNA methylation sites associated with the clock. Instead, they found the clock's CpG methylation patterns had repositioned. Age-dependent methylation happens regionally, therefore affecting clusters of sites together in a "block-like manner," which makes predicting epigenetic age much more effective.

Additionally, there was a 25% decrease in triglycerides (fat), therefore showing that a high folate diet (a Vitamin B needed to make red blood cells, DNA, and support healthy cells) has a very positive effect on the body.

Discussion

This is just the second report of diet being able to cause epigenetic reversal of age, and has proven that ag reversal can be broadly achievable. As understanding of diet's impact on health evolves, similar kinds of intervention can be refined.