TheDigger Intelligence Unit
A new study shows that the age of your body’s cells, not just how many years you’ve lived, may predict your risk of dementia.
Researchers in China studied health records from over 280,000 people in the UK for 14 years.
They found that people who developed Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia had a much higher biological age than their peers, even if they were younger in actual years.
Chronological age is just the number of years you have lived. Biological age shows how much your cells, tissues, and organs have aged.
The study found that people with the oldest biological age were about 30 percent more likely to get dementia.
Their brains also showed thinning in areas linked to memory, decision-making, and emotional control.
The good news is that while you can’t change your chronological age, your lifestyle choices can help slow down biological aging.
Eating a Mediterranean-style diet, staying active, managing stress, and getting good sleep are all linked to healthier cells and a younger biological age.
To help people understand this idea, longevity experts have made a free online quiz that estimates your biological age using your lifestyle and health habits.
You don’t need any blood tests, just answer questions about your daily habits, body measurements, and general health. The quiz gives you an idea of how old your body really is compared to your actual age.
Dr Yacong Bo, one of the lead researchers, explained: “Advanced biological age may contribute to dementia by inducing widespread changes in brain structures. While we can’t change our chronological age, we can influence our biological age through daily habits.”
As dementia cases rise around the world, the main message is clear: taking care of your body now can help protect your brain later.