Aging Clock Uses Cheek Cells to Predict Biological Age
A biotechnology company headquartered in Manhattan has developed an "aging" clock that uses information from the cells in your cheeks to predict your biological age.
What is Biological Age?
Biological age is the age of your cells and tissues – this number can differ from your chronological age, which is the number of years you’ve been alive. Research has found that a large gap between your biological and chronological age can significantly increase your risk of death from disease.
Tally Health’s CheekAge
Tally Health’s CheekAge is a non-invasive cheek swab. Most biochemical tests that predict a person’s biological age rely on blood DNA, but Tally Health’s CheekAge is a non-invasive cheek swab. For a study published in Frontiers in Aging, Tally Health researchers tested their CheekAge technology using blood samples in a dataset where 1,500 UK senior citizens were tracked over time.
How Does CheekAge Work?
CheekAge serves as the basis for Tally Health’s TallyAge Test, a cheek swab kit available to consumers. The technology uses DNA methylation, a natural biological process where chemical tags are added to DNA – gene function can change while the genetic code remains the same. DNA methylation levels change over time, and diet, hormones, stress, drugs, and exposure to pollutants can influence this process.
Study Findings
Tally Health found that a person’s CheekAge is associated with lifestyle factors such as sleep, exercise, and alcohol consumption, and health factors such as having COVID-19. The study also found that CheekAge is highly significantly associated with mortality risk.
Conclusion
CheekAge is a non-invasive and accurate way to predict biological age, which can help individuals take steps to improve their health and reduce their risk of disease. Tally Health is actively engaged in research to better understand what types of variables and metrics are significantly associated with CheekAge, including different diseases, health conditions, and lifestyle factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is biological age?
A: Biological age is the age of your cells and tissues – this number can differ from your chronological age, which is the number of years you’ve been alive.
Q: How does CheekAge work?
A: CheekAge uses DNA methylation, a natural biological process where chemical tags are added to DNA – gene function can change while the genetic code remains the same.
Q: What is the significance of CheekAge?
A: CheekAge is highly significantly associated with mortality risk, and can help individuals take steps to improve their health and reduce their risk of disease.
Q: Is CheekAge available to consumers?
A: Yes, CheekAge serves as the basis for Tally Health’s TallyAge Test, a cheek swab kit available to consumers.
