What Is Your Biological Age?
Why Understanding It Matters
When it comes to ageing, most of us think in terms of the number of candles on our birthday cake. But chronological age doesn’t tell the full story. Increasingly, science shows that our biological age – how old our cells and systems truly are – may offer far more meaningful insights into our longterm health, vitality, and disease risk.
At The London General Practice, we use advanced biological age testing to help patients understand their current health status and identify personalised strategies to support healthier ageing.
Biological Age Tests: What Can They Tell You?
Biological age tests can capture your current health status and assess your risk of chronic diseases in a way that is independent of chronological age.
Ageing itself is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases, including metabolic conditions, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. However, we now understand that chronological age alone is not the best indicator of risk.
Why Biological Age Can Differ from Chronological Age
It is entirely possible for two individuals who are both 50 years old to have very different biological ages. One person may have a healthier lifestyle and favourable genetic influences, giving them a biological age of 40. Another may have less optimal lifestyle factors and could be biologically closer to 60.
This difference can be explained in part by epigenetics—the interaction between
genetics and lifestyle. Biological age tests often analyse DNA methylation patterns, which influence how genes are expressed:
- Some genes should be methylated to prevent them from overworking.
- Others should remain unmethylated to allow normal function.
Methylation acts like a volume control, turning gene expression up or down. When we examine methylation across thousands of genes, we see a unique pattern – your own biological “signature.” Researchers can identify which patterns are associated with healthy ageing and which signal increased disease risk.
The Exciting Part: Methylation Patterns Can Change
One of the most valuable insights in modern longevity medicine is that methylation patterns are modifiable. While genetics provide the blueprint, lifestyle can profoundly influence how your genes behave.
Interventions known to support healthier DNA methylation and slow biological ageing include:
- Nutrition and targeted dietary changes
- Regular physical activity
- Restorative sleep
- Effective stress management
- Selected medications
- Evidencebased supplements
These approaches can help restore methylation patterns toward a younger or healthier state, slow the pace of ageing, or reduce the risk of agerelated diseases.
Dr Angela Rai, GP
General Practitioner & Medicines Management Lead
MBBS, BSc (Psychology), MRCGP, DCH,
DRCOG, Dip Cardiology,
PGCert Anti-ageing Medicine (Distinction)
Find Out More
To explore your biological age, understand your personal risk factors, and develop a tailored longevity plan, you can learn more on our website or book an appointment.
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At The London General Practice we use the most advanced biological age testing with system-level health analysis to deliver a full-spectrum view of both aging and cellular health across 185+ epigenetic biomarkers, all from one convenient test.
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MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, Dip Cardiology,
PGCert Anti-ageing Medicine (Distinction)
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Phone: 020 7935 1000
Email: info@thelondongeneralpractice.com
The London General Practice offers a number of screening services. To find out more about all screening services available at The London General Practice click below.