The Summary
Researchers conducted a systematic review of 41 human studies to evaluate how different interventions affect next-generation epigenetic clocks, which measure biological aging. The data revealed that diverse strategies successfully reduced epigenetic age, including exercise, plant-rich diets, caloric restriction, omega-3s, multivitamins, pitavastatin, and semaglutide. Conversely, highly hyped longevity interventions like rapamycin, nicotinamide riboside, and senolytics showed no detectable effect, while plasmapheresis actually accelerated epigenetic aging. This study offers a comprehensive comparison of how different therapies impact clinical biomarkers of mortality risk.
Why this is interesting
For years, we relied on chronological age to measure health, but next-generation epigenetic clocks offer a precise window into our true biological age and mortality risk. This review grounds the hype of the wellness industry in hard science. It shows that accessible habits like exercise and a plant-rich diet—alongside specific drugs like semaglutide—can genuinely turn back your biological clock. Meanwhile, expensive, trendy treatments like NAD+ boosters and rapamycin may not deliver on their cellular promises yet. It empowers you to focus on proven strategies rather than unverified longevity trends.