Lifestyles modify the biological aging process: evidence from multiple cohorts.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Epidemiology
• Biomarkers of Aging
• Public Health and Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

• Lifestyle factor impact on aging is often assessed statically, lacking longitudinal perspective.
• Few studies examine the dynamic relationship between lifestyle and biological aging over time.
• Understanding modifiable lifestyle impacts on aging trajectories is crucial for health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between healthy lifestyle scores (HLS) and annualized changes in biological age (ΔMDAge/year).
• To replicate findings using Phenotypic Age and data from the UK Biobank.
• To explore the relationship between lifestyle, aging acceleration, and all-cause mortality.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 143,823 individuals from the Taiwan MJ cohort.
• Calculation of Healthy Lifestyle Scores (HLS) and annualized changes in biological age (ΔMDAge/year).
• Replication analysis using Phenotypic Age and UK Biobank data; mediation analysis for mortality risk.

Main Results:

• Increasing HLS was significantly associated with decreased ΔMDAge/year across both cohorts.
• Higher HLS correlated with lower odds of persistent aging acceleration.
• Higher HLS and decreased ΔMDAge/year were linked to a 49% reduction in all-cause mortality risk.

Conclusions:

• A healthier lifestyle profile is associated with attenuated aging acceleration.
• Lifestyle interventions may facilitate the reversal of accelerated aging.
• Adherence to healthy lifestyle practices significantly reduces mortality risk, partly mediated by aging deceleration.