The pace of biological aging can potentially be slowed down through simple lifestyle adjustments, according to new research. A recent study published in the journal Aging investigated the effects of a diet change and exercise regimen on men between the ages of 50 and 74 over a three-month period.
Researchers in Japan designed a clinical trial involving 48 overweight men. For 12 weeks, half of the participants followed a strictly structured wellness routine, while the other half maintained their usual habits. The intervention group was required to consume 100 grams of plain yogurt every day, receive individualized dietary counseling to curb overeating and avoid excessive snacking, and exercise by walking or using a stepper machine for 30 minutes, at least three days a week.
Scientists collected blood samples from all participants before and after the study, and analyzed DNA for chemical changes that act as indicators of cellular age. The measurement tool DunedinPACE was used, which calculates the precise rate at which an individual's body is currently aging. The results showed that the men who consumed the probiotic yogurt, adjusted their diets and exercised had a statistically significant reduction in their pace of aging compared to the control group.
On average, the speed of biological aging slowed by approximately 2.2%. This reduction is comparable to the slowing of biological aging observed in a previous two-year study, in which participants reduced their daily calorie intake by 25%. The reduction in aging speed happened independently of weight loss, meaning it did not directly correlate with changes in the participants' body mass index or the exact number of exercise sessions they logged.
The researchers also recorded a noticeable improvement in a specific DNA marker linked to kidney function. Since the study combined three distinct factors – probiotics, diet, and exercise – the authors concluded that the anti-aging benefits cannot be attributed to any single component. Instead, the slowed aging rate appears to be the result of a combined effect.
The researchers acknowledged clear limitations of the study, including its small sample size and short duration. The participant pool was restricted to overweight men of a single nationality, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
The study suggests that small lifestyle adjustments can have significant impacts on biological aging. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and explore their applicability to different populations.
