Unraveling the Impact of Lifestyle and Health Factors on Biological Aging
In the quest for longevity, understanding the factors that influence our biological age, as opposed to our chronological age, is crucial. Two markers, GrimAge acceleration (GrimAgeAccel) and PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel), have emerged as significant predictors of mortality and age-related health issues. These markers are based on DNA methylation, a process that can alter the activity of a DNA segment without changing its sequence, and are seen as indicators of accelerated biological aging.
This research delves into the causal risk factors for GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel. Using a method called Mendelian randomization, the researchers investigated the impact of 19 modifiable factors, including socioeconomic status, lifestyle habits, and cardiometabolic health. The study found that 12 factors influenced GrimAgeAccel and 8 influenced PhenoAgeAccel. Smoking emerged as the most potent risk factor for GrimAgeAccel, followed by high alcohol intake, increased waist circumference, daytime napping, high body fat percentage, and others. On the other hand, education and household income were identified as protective factors.
The findings provide valuable insights into the modifiable factors that can influence our biological age. By understanding and addressing these factors, we can potentially slow down the aging process and improve our health and longevity. The study underscores the importance of lifestyle choices and socioeconomic conditions in our pursuit of a longer, healthier life.
Article Information
Genetic Evidence for Causal Effects of Socioeconomic, Lifestyle, and Cardiometabolic Factors on Epigenetic-Age Acceleration
Published on J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.Lijie Kong et al.
Abstract
GrimAge acceleration (GrimAgeAccel) and PhenoAge acceleration (PhenoAgeAccel) are DNA methylation-based markers of accelerated biological aging, standing out in predicting mortality and age-related cardiometabolic morbidities. Causal risk factors for GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel are unclear. In this study, we performed 2-sample univariable and multivariable Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate causal associations of 19 modifiable socioeconomic, lifestyle, and cardiometabolic factors with GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel. Instrument variants representing 19 modifiable factors were extracted from genome-wide association studies (GWASs) with up to 1 million Europeans. Summary statistics for GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel were derived from a GWAS of 34 710 Europeans. We identified 12 and 8 factors causally associated with GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel, respectively. Smoking was the strongest risk factor (β [standard error {SE}]: 1.299 [0.107] year) for GrimAgeAccel, followed by higher alcohol intake, higher waist circumference, daytime napping, higher body fat percentage, higher body mass index, higher C-reactive protein, higher triglycerides, childhood obesity, and type 2 diabetes; whereas education was the strongest protective factor (β [SE]: -1.143 [0.121] year), followed by household income. Furthermore, higher waist circumference (β [SE]: 0.850 [0.269] year) and education (β [SE]: -0.718 [0.151] year) were the leading causal risk and protective factors for PhenoAgeAccel, respectively. Sensitivity analyses strengthened the robustness of these causal associations. Multivariable MR analyses further demonstrated independent effects of the strongest risk and protective factors on GrimAgeAccel and PhenoAgeAccel, respectively. In conclusion, our findings provide novel quantitative evidence on modifiable causal risk factors for accelerated epigenetic aging, suggesting promising intervention targets against age-related morbidity and improving healthy longevity.
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