This week, I embarked on a unique competition that challenges participants to reverse their biological age, a concept that aims to provide a deeper understanding of health beyond mere chronological age. As I recently celebrated another birthday, the idea of biological youth sparked my interest. This contest, dubbed the ‘Younger’ challenge, invites competitors to engage in a six-month journey to reduce their biological age, a metric which reflects the health of our organs and overall body systems. Participants will be ranked on a leaderboard based on the most significant differences between their biological and chronological ages, as well as those who achieve the greatest reduction in biological age.
The competition is spearheaded by Dr. Christin Glorioso, a neuroscientist and the CEO of NeuroAge Therapeutics. Her company specializes in tools for tracking brain health and aging, with ongoing trials to assess how biological brain age may predict the onset of diseases like Alzheimer’s. One of Glorioso’s primary objectives for the Younger contest is to familiarize the public with the concept of aging clocks—devices designed to measure biological age through various biological markers. While some clocks analyze chemical signatures linked to DNA, others may focus on proteins or lipids in blood samples. Despite their potential, the accuracy of these clocks in measuring individual biological age remains a topic of debate, as they often capture specific facets of the aging process, rather than providing a comprehensive view.
For this contest, participants will undergo a series of assessments to determine their biological age. I will send a blood sample to TruDiagnostic, a company that evaluates epigenetic markers to provide an overall biological age and assess the health of specific organ systems. Additionally, I will complete cognitive tasks to receive a brain age score from NeuroAge and submit physical measures like grip strength. The competition will also include supplementary tests for ultra-competitors, such as MRI scans and various blood tests. Alongside personal assessments, Glorioso aims to gather data on the effectiveness of various longevity strategies, including access to wellness treatments like red-light therapy and sauna sessions. By analyzing this information, Glorioso hopes to contribute valuable insights into the aging process and its impact on public health. The event officially kicks off in January, but interest is already high, with many participants eager to join after the holiday season.
Source: A new contest pits competitors against each other in a race to biological youth via MIT Technology Review