Hyderabad: Biological age is a complex and heavily debated subject in medical and scientific circles as it gives an insight to the actual age of the body organs and helps to predict the immunity of a person. Yet there are no accepted gold standard methods for estimating the functioning of our body.
Experts state that at the clinical level, biological age is not used as there is too much of resistance in people who are not able to understand what it means. Like a person’s chronological age will be 70 years but the age of the body organs will be like that of a 50-year-old individual. Similarly, a person will be 50 years of age but the organs will be like those of a 90-year-old person’s body.
Medical experts state that there are 16 biomarkers which are used to estimate a person’s biological age. Dr Hari Kishan B., senior consultant general physician explained: “The biomarkers like skin elasticity, blood pressure, lung capacity, visual acuity, hearing functions, cholesterol value, blood glucose, serum albumin, grip strength, neck and muscle movements etc. are used for calculating biological age. These are combined by using various mathematical methods to calculate the biological age. This can be done at the clinical level. But on the internet, we find biological age being calculated by checking the happiness levels, physical activity and education which are not the approved methods.”
Biological age is also called the physiological age where the functionality and physiological ability of an individual is evaluated. Biological age evaluates the heart, lungs, immune system, musculo-skeletal system, neurological functioning and metabolic status of an individual.
Dr Ravi Sankar E., senior consultant endocrinologist at Apollo Hospitals explained: “If an individual’s biological age is more than his/her chronological age, it is an indication of poor body reserve. It points towards an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, higher risk of metabolic diseases such as diabetes and also premature death. Biological age reflects the true functional status of an individual and may not co-relate to the chronological age. There are many who can’t accept their biological age.”
A younger biological age than the chronological age means that the body reserve is good and life expectancy is longer. Scientists use the data of biological age by assessing physical activity and other clinical parameters to evaluate life expectancy in populations.
