New “iAge” clock can predict your risk for disease and early death

You’ve likely heard of a biological clock before, but what about an aging clock? According to new research, there may be a way to calculate an individual’s likelihood of disease and death.

Researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Buck Institute for Research on Aging worked together to identify an aging clock named iAge, which takes a look at the strength of your immune system to determine longevity.

This natural timing device can indicate the potential that someone will develop a life-threatening diagnosis years before a person starts to develop symptoms, which could be a game-changer for many diseases where early detection is critical for successful treatment. 

Here’s a look at the new age calculator, what causes aging and how to boost your immune system.

What is iAge?

iAge, or the ‘inflammatory clock of aging,’ can be used to predict age-related inflammatory diseases and assess the immune system’s overall health. “Predicting what age-related and genetic diseases a person can develop and when has long been a goal of medical research,” explains Megan Ayala, fitness, health, and nutrition expert at Patricia and Carolyn. 

How does it work?

“The ‘inflammatory clock of aging’ (iAge) uses biomarkers like Immunosenescence and longevity to determine the probability of developing age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s,” Ayala says. “A higher score on the iAge scale means a higher potential for diseases, while a lower score can signify a healthy and strong immune system.” 

According to researchers, iAge can predict diseases such as Alzheimer’s up to seven years before a patient exhibits symptoms. The critical protein in predicting the body’s deterioration, CXCL9, is a cytokine emitted by immune cells, attracting them to an infection site in the body. The higher the presence of this protein, the more chronic inflammation a person experiences. Which can indicate a greater risk of certain diseases over time. 

Inflammation and aging

Why is inflammation a pivotal component to predicting health and longevity? Chronic, low-grade inflammation has been linked to conditions and diseases that are prevalent in old age, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, dementia, and type 2 diabetes.

Our body’s immune system is triggered by inflammation, which is good when the inflammation is sporadic. However, persistent inflammation can weaken our immune response, especially as we age. 

Ways to improve your health and longevity

There’s no instant way to boost life expectancy. However, maintaining consistent healthy habits has been correlated with living longer, and lowered the risk of certain diseases and conditions. Here are a few tips to consider to increase your life expectancy and overall health and wellness. 

Exercise regularly

There’s no downplaying the link between exercise and a robust immune system. The older we get, the less active we tend to become. However, pushing yourself to engage in physical activity that maintains muscle mass and gets your cardiovascular system pumping has been shown to reduce inflammation and help preserve immune function. 

If you’re having trouble sticking to a consistent exercise routine, consider finding an accountability partner – like a friend, neighbor or family member – who also wants to increase their physical activity. 

Maintain a healthy weight

While muscle mass has been shown to impact the immune system positively, the opposite goes for excess body fat. Research has found that carrying around extra weight often translates to more chronic inflammation, weakening the immune system over time. 

As we age, our body’s metabolism slows and changes. If you find yourself putting on weight, speak with your doctor or a nutritionist to discuss a plan to manage it based on your body’s evolving needs.

Consider incorporating key ingredients from the Mediterranean Diet

Before starting a new diet, it’s always a smart idea to consult with your doctor. But if you plan to make dietary changes to benefit your immune system and longevity, research suggests that the Mediterranean Diet may be an excellent place to start.

The diet focuses on high amounts of leafy green vegetables, olive oil, and fruit, moderate amounts of dairy, fish, and poultry, and very low amounts of sugar and red meat.

A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics found that participants who closely followed the Mediterranean Diet were less frail after a four-year period than those who did not.