![]() I am a scientist interested in redefining "age." Instead of benchmarking chronological age, my lab is invested in measuring biological age. This is because there is a difference between your chronological age, or the number of years you've been alive, and your biological age-your physical and functional ability. Although age is the principal risk factor for several chronic diseases, it is an unreliable indicator of how quickly your body will decline or how susceptible you are to age-related disease. Indeed, aging increases the risk of multiple chronic diseases by up to a thousandfold. More than any individual risk factor such as smoking or lack of exercise, the number of years you've lived predicts onset of disease. But many ignore the major risk factor for all of these diseases: aging itself. Researchers have focused a lot of attention on understanding the causes and risk factors of age-related diseases like Alzheimer's, dementia, osteoporosis and cancer. And actor Paul Rudd was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2021 at age 52 while still looking like he's in his 30s. The "Great British Bake Off" judge Mary Berry, now in her 80s, continues to inspire people all over the world to bake and enjoy life. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg stayed on the bench until her death at age 87. But there are some people who seem to defy their age. ![]() ![]() Almost everyone experiences these kinds of signs of aging.
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