If counting the days and months until your next birthday fills you with dread, here’s something to celebrate: science shows it’s possible to turn back the clock.
In fact, according to Dr Guanchen Sun, Co-Founder and Research & Development Director at Australian wellness brand Biogency, our biological age — how old our cells, tissues and organs appear based on a number of factors — is not only a better indicator of overall health than our chronological age, but it can be reversed with small lifestyle changes and the right nutrients.
But what is the science behind biological ageing and how can delving into our genes transform our health and longevity? Here are a few takeaways to keep in mind.
How old are you really?
Crucial to understanding the relationship between ageing and our genes is epigenetics, an area of study that looks at how our behaviours and environment affect the ways our genes work. There are many different types of epigenetics, and one area of study involves the methylation of genes, an essential process in our bodies that influences how our genes are expressed.
When a piece of methylated gene is “deactivated”, it stops producing a related protein. When we’re younger, our bodies have more good protein and less bad protein, which is controlled by this process. But as we age, this methylation pattern is disrupted, leading to more expressions of bad proteins and less of good proteins — which leads us to our epigenetic age, more commonly known as our biological age.
Our biological age typically differs from our actual age, and is shaped by our genetic predisposition, as well as factors like poor lifestyle habits, cellular stress, poor sleep and diet. Importantly, while biological ageing can make us unhealthy, decreasing the functions of organs throughout our body, studies have shown that not only is it malleable, but a healthy lifestyle and certain combinations of nutrients can significantly impact how our bodies age.
Reversing our biological age
How do we turn back the clock? According to Dr Sun, some factors that can reverse biological ageing include getting adequate sleep, maintaining regular exercise, and reducing physical and psychological stress. Cultivating a healthy intestinal flora and balanced diet that includes prioritising vegetables and healthy fats, while limiting sugar and processed foods can also be beneficial.
Studies have also shown that certain combinations of nutrients can also have a significant impact on our genes. Selenomethionine and Zinc glycinate, for example, have been found to enhance gene protection and repair, optimise gene methylation and even reduce our biological age. It’s findings like these that inspired Biogency to include these ingredients in their advanced formula of Synext, the science-backed supplement that promotes healthy ageing and supports a variety of functions in the body. By incorporating an array of active ingredients and antioxidants, Synext delves into our genes to promote vitality, prevent inflammation, supports energy generation, cardiovascular health and blood capillary health.
Ultimately, genes are the blueprint of our body, regulating our health and overall wellbeing. By understanding how our habits and lifestyle affects our genes, we can be empowered to take important steps — from improving our sleep, to our diet and nutrient intake — to cultivate long-term health and improve our quality of life.
Dr Guanchen Sun is the Co-Founder and Research and Development Director at Biogency, the Australian wellness brand dedicated to empowering people with high-quality and scientifically-supported health products. To learn more about Synext, head to their website.
