Determining Biological Age

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Scientists believe that random damage that occurs within cells and among extracellular molecules are responsible for many of the age-related changes that are observed in organisms.^72,73,74 In addition, for organisms that reproduce sexually, including humans, each individual is genetically unique. As such, the rate of aging also varies from individual to individual.⁷⁵ Despite intensive study, scientists have not been able to discover reliable measures of the processes that contribute to aging.⁷⁶ For these reasons, any claim that a person¿s biological or "real age"⁷⁷ can currently be measured, let alone modified, by any means must be regarded as entertainment, not science.

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⁷²Hayflick L. The Future of aging. Nature. 2000;408:267-269.

⁷³Morley AA. The somatic mutation theory of ageing. Mut Res. 1995;338:19-23.

⁷⁴Odagiri Y, Uchida H, Hosokawa M, Takemoto K, Morley A, Takeda T. Accelerated accumulation of somatic mutations in the senescence-accelerated mouse. Nat Genet. 1998;19:117-118.

⁷⁵Carnes BA, Olshansky SJ. Heterogeneity and its biodemographic implications for longevity and mortality. Exp Gerontol. 2001;36:419-430.

⁷⁶Workshop Report, Biomarkers of Aging: From Primitive Organisms to Man. International Longevity Center ¿ Canyon Ranch Series, New York, NY.; 2001.

⁷⁷Roizen M. RealAge: Are you as young as you can be? Cliff Street Books; 1999.

⁷⁸Roizen M, La Puma J. The RealAge diet: Make yourself younger with what you eat. Cliff Street Books; 2001.

Next: Are There Genes That Govern Aging Processes?

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