Ageing is ultimately inevitable – our chronological age (how many years since we were born), can’t change. However, how we age depends on many factors including our DNA and our lifestyle. We can now, through a simple test, assess a patient’s biological age (how old you are on the inside) and then take steps to improve their health and try to slow down the ageing process.

We do this by measuring compounds called ‘glycans’, which are sugar-like compounds attached to our cells, and the levels of these change depending on how well, or badly, we are ageing. Glycan levels change 7-10 years before the onset of the disease, meaning they can be used as a warning signal to help you steer your health in the right direction. A change in a GlycanAge score directly correlates with a change in inflammation levels, meaning we can determine which course of treatment works best for individual patients.

Below is a graph of the sudden increase in the biological age of a patient who was regularly being tested for her GlycanAge, using a simple finger prick blood test. Prior to entering peri-menopause, she was biologically 20 years younger than her chronological age. Just before her 52nd birthday, her GlycanAge suddenly doubled. This indicated that she may be entering menopause. Further testing was done, and the patient made a decision to start bio-identical hormone replacement therapy.

The result of having this treatment meant that her biological age started to drop again. GlycanAgeing helped this patient understand that she was entering a major life event, but more importantly, it helped guide her decision to therapy.

Below is another graph of a patient who is a business manager, with a high-paced and stressful job. When he first tested his GlycanAge, his biological age was 8 years higher than his chronological age. Based on these results he was encouraged to implement a number of lifestyle changes, including optimising his sleep. He also adopted a personalised nutrition plan and as you can see, with the right interventions, in less than 2 years, his GlycanAge went down by 16 years.

We have been offering biological age testing at MediZen Wellness for the last six months, and the response has been remarkable. If you would like to know more click here, or contact our team.