Epigenetics and aging

Age is a major risk factor for many of the most common medical conditions and chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, and the world's population is aging faster than ever before. Many of these chronic diseases can be prevented or delayed by engaging in healthy behaviors such as physical activity and good nutrition. Age-related changes in DNA methylation are well documented, and chronological age can be predicted using methylation measures from multiple CpGs across the genome. The difference between actual chronological age and methylation-predicted age (also called biological age) can be used to determine whether DNA methylation consistently predicts a higher or lower age than expected. This biological age is influenced by lifestyle parameters that are better than chronological age at predicting all-cause mortality. A key goal of any health system is to prolong a healthy life into old age. Epigenetics can be modulated by environmental exposure, including lifestyle choices.