Longevity & AgingShort-Term Stress Can Throw Off Epigenetic Clock Readings
Epigenetic clocks use DNA methylation patterns to estimate biological age and are widely used in longevity research and increasingly in consumer testing. A new study finds that while these clocks produce consistent results when inputs are held constant, short-term biological fluctuations — such as those caused by illness, inflammation, intense exercise, or other transient stressors — can dramatically alter the readings. This means a single measurement taken during a stressful period could make someone appear biologically older than they truly are. The findings suggest that relying on a single snapshot reading may be misleading, and that multiple measurements under stable baseline conditions are needed to get an accurate picture of someone's true biological age. This has important implications for both research studies and individuals tracking their aging.
