Is Age Just a Number?: The Promise—and Limitations—of Biologic Age Testing

Photo by Andrik Langfield via Unsplash

In the world of longevity medicine, few concepts have captured public imagination like biologic age. The idea is simple: rather than defining your age by the calendar, why not define it by the condition of your biology? Are you 45 going on 60—or 45 going on 30?

This idea has sparked the development of epigenetic clocks—tests that analyze patterns of DNA methylation, which are chemical modifications that accumulate over time and influence gene expression. These clocks aim to estimate how “old” your body appears on a molecular level, based on lifestyle, environmental exposures, and overall health.

The Evolution of Epigenetic Clocks

Early methylation clocks were built by identifying methylation patterns that correlated strongly with chronological age. The goal at that stage was accuracy in predicting how many birthdays you’ve had—not necessarily how well you’re aging.

Later models began to incorporate clinical and physiological data—markers like inflammation, immune function, and organ health—in an effort to better approximate biologic age as it relates to healthspan and disease risk. Some clocks now focus on measuring the rate of aging, which may be even more useful: are you aging biologically faster, slower, or in sync with the calendar?

But there is no gold standard for “true” biologic age. No definitive test tells us exactly how old you are biologically, or how long you’ll live. These clocks are best understood as proxies, offering insight into aging processes—but not delivering final answers. What would you do if you died before the aging clock predicted you would, ask for your money back?

You Are Not Just a Number

We view biologic age testing as one piece of a much larger puzzle. We don’t reduce a complex, adaptive, and multidimensional system—you—to a single score on a lab report.

To meaningfully support health and longevity, we start by understanding the full picture: your physical challenges, your routines, your stressors, your passions. Whether it’s training for a triathlon, playing music, chasing after grandchildren, or hiking a favorite trail, knowing what brings you energy and purpose helps us identify strategies for change that are both effective and sustainable.

We also collect a wide range of objective, real-world data: VO₂ max, grip strength, lean mass, inflammatory markers, mobility screens, and more. These are gathered across multiple time points, not just one, so we can evaluate how things are trending—not just where they stand in a single moment.

Why Trend Data Matters

Biologic age scores can shift based on recent stress, poor sleep, or illness. That’s why trend data—collected consistently over time—tells us more than any one test ever could.

Are you building muscle or losing it? Improving aerobic fitness or plateauing? Are inflammation and blood sugar markers stabilizing or subtly climbing? These patterns help us intervene at the right time and measure the real impact of those interventions.

We’re interested in momentum—in the direction your health is heading, not just a snapshot of where it is.

The Future of Aging Is Personalized

Epigenetic clocks have come a long way, and they continue to offer exciting possibilities in the field of longevity. But the future of healthy aging won’t come from a single number—it will come from whole-person care, trend-based insights, and a deep understanding of the individual behind the data.

Because you’re not a statistic. You’re a story in progress—and we’re here to help you write the next chapter.