Determining a newborn's due date traditionally relies on maternal reports of the last menstrual period and ultrasound scans. These conventional approaches can lead to uncertainties, especially when it comes to identifying deviations from normal fetal development that could impact research into the effects of preterm or post-term births on newborns. However, researchers, including Kristine Løkås Haftorn, have now developed a more precise method to ascertain newborns' gestational age through...

Machine learning models that use DNA markers can estimate the age of biological samples. However, understanding why these markers change with age is challenging because it's hard to prove that these changes cause aging-related traits. In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, I speak with Kejun Ying who uses large datasets to find specific DNA markers that directly influence aging traits. We explore his recently published study which found casual CpGs that speed up aging and others...

The idea of the impintome is still foreign to many people. So, let’s start with a simple explanation. For the majority of genes, we inherit two functional copies—one from our mother and one from our father. However, imprinted genes follow a different pattern, as we inherit only one functional copy. Depending on the specific gene, either the copy from our mother or our father undergoes epigenetic silencing. This silencing process typically involves the addition of methyl groups during the...

Did you know that the Great Depression—the worst economic downturn in US history—impacted how fast individuals aged biologically decades later according to their epigenetic aging profiles?! Yep… you read that right.  Results show that faster epigenetic aging later in life is associated with worse economic conditions, specifically, during the prenatal period, suggesting it may be a sensitive window for the development of later-life disparities in aging. As a result, early-life investments...

I always have a great time chatting with Dr. Jeoff Drobot, and in this podcast he doesn’t disappoint.  He is an expert in “age accounting” and often speaks about biological age in terms of environmental debits and credits.. What does this look like?  Well, retirement should not be the first time you start thinking about longevity. Just like a small amount of money invested well can grow to become significant wealth, a small investment in your health can lead to years of a healthier,...

In this week’s Everything Epigenetics episode, I speak with Dr. Toinét Cronjé about what epigenetics can do for the field of epidemiology.  Epidemiology is the study of the distribution and determinants of health-related states or events in populations and the application of this study to control health problems. By studying epigenetics and epidemiology in tandem, Dr. Cronjé seeks to understand patterns of diseases in populations, identify risk factors, and develop strategies to prevent or...

In this week's Everything Epigenetics episode, I speak with Michael Lustgarten on tracking and measuring biomarkers to maximize longevity. His long-standing goal is to live longer than everyone that has ever lived. To do that, he plans on using the best available science to “biohack” his way to super-longevity. Contrary to the prevailing belief that aging is an inescapable and uncontrollable process, Michael is an advocate for longevity, and he's eager to impart valuable tools and insights...

You may be familiar with polygenic risk scores (PRS), but have you ever heard of methylation risk scores (MRS)? MRS are crucial to understand, as they’re a tool that quantifies DNA methylation levels at specific genomic regions linked to particular conditions, shedding light on the potential impact of epigenetic modifications on disease susceptibility. In contrast, PRS calculates an individual's genetic disease risk by considering multiple genetic variants across the genome, often...

In this Everything Epigenetics episode, Dr. Jeffrey Bland and I discuss his significant contributions to functional medicines and how he has shaped this field. We also define functional medicine as a multidisciplinary approach that draws on the expertise of various healthcare professionals, including doctors, nutritionists, and researchers, to address complex health issues from a holistic perspective. Dr. Jeffrey Bland, considered one of the pioneers in the field of functional medicine, has...

The reliability of testing epigenetic DNA methylation using Illumina beadchips is of paramount importance due to the specific intricacies of this technology.  Illumina beadchips are widely used platforms for high-throughput epigenetic analysis, employing thousands of probes to measure DNA methylation levels at specific genomic loci.  In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Karen Sugden and I talk about how the reliability of these probes directly impacts the accuracy and validity...

Various aging clocks have been developed to quantify the aging process and predict age-related diseases. These biological age clocks are powered by different types of omics data and clinical biomarkers, and they’re especially useful for observational studies, clinical trials, and basic science aimed at combating biological aging.  Nonetheless, current research indicates that there is significant variation in aging, with deterioration and diseases affecting different organ systems and...

Risk stratification in surgery is a crucial aspect of modern medical practice that involves assessing the potential risks and benefits associated with a surgical procedure for an individual patient. The goal is to optimize patient outcomes and improve decision-making by identifying those who may be at higher risk for complications. While vital for guiding clinical decision-making, current risk stratification in surgery faces several limitations. For example, incomplete or inaccurate patient...

Dr. Kara Fitzgerald's work in epigenetics revolves around the concept of "nutrigenomics" and "nutrigenetics," which are areas that investigate how nutrients and dietary factors can influence gene expression and how an individual's genetic makeup may affect their response to different nutrients. She has been at the forefront of applying epigenetic principles in the context of functional medicine to help patients optimize their health. By understanding an individual's unique genetic makeup and...

According to Dr. Daniel Belsky at Columbia University, there are three limitations of epigenetic biological age clocks: 1. Mortality selection  Essentially, biological age measures may underestimate true aging because older participants represent slower agers.  2. Cohort Effects Biological age measures may overestimate true aging because older participants carry an excess burden of early-life exposure to environmental toxicants, pathogens, poor nutrition, smoking, etc.  3. Uncertain...

As we age, physical fitness tends to decline. This decline can be attributed to various factors such as changes in body composition, reduced muscle mass and strength, decreased flexibility, and diminished cardiovascular endurance. Additionally, the body's ability to recover from physical exertion also tends to slow down with age. It has been well validated that the rate at which this decline occurs varies among individuals. However, those who maintain their physical fitness as they age...

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 20% of adults (around 51.5 million people) experience a mental illness each year. I believe that is 51.5 million people too many! There is a HUGE need for the ability to predict mental illness, as the current diagnostic process has many limitations and challenges.  By analyzing epigenetic markers associated with mental disorders, we can actually predict the likelihood of developing these conditions and tailor personalized...

Epigenetic coaching is a revolutionary approach to health and wellness that leverages the latest research on epigenetics to optimize gene expression. As you all know, epigenetics refers to changes in gene activity that are not caused by changes in the underlying DNA sequence, but rather by environmental factors such as diet, stress, and exercise. With the help of an epigenetic coach, like Lindsey Lekhraj, you can learn how to modify your lifestyle to positively influence gene expression,...

I hate to break it to you, but yes - what your grandmother did directly influences how your DNA is regulated today.  This is called epigenetic transgenerational inheritance.  Epigenetic transgenerational inheritance refers to the transmission of epigenetic marks from one generation to the next. This phenomenon can occur through the germline and affect the development and health of future generations. To further explain, it is possible for environmental factors that affected our grandmother...

Cancer acts as an accelerator of aging. Furthermore, we know that cancer and cancer therapies can elicit aging-associated cognitive phenotypes and reveal or exacerbate underlying cognitive deficits, increase the risk of physical impairment, heart disease, diabetes and other chronic health conditions, and accelerate the hallmarks of aging.  Dr. Christin Burd and her team, from The Ohio State University, have been asking key questions about just that… age-acceleration in cancer. To understand...

Maintaining muscle mass is crucial for healthy aging, as it is closely linked to overall physical function and quality of life. As we age, our bodies naturally experience a decline in muscle mass and strength, known as sarcopenia. This loss of muscle mass can lead to a range of negative health outcomes, including decreased mobility, increased risk of falls and fractures, and decreased metabolic rate. Additionally, loss of muscle mass can contribute to chronic conditions such as obesity,...

It’s always a pleasure speaking with Dr. Habib, and in this podcast he doesn’t disappoint. His mantra of “The right treatment, for the right patient, at the right time” has revolutionized the way healthcare providers should approach clinical care. He takes an integrated approach to healthcare, and notes that Next Health is not “married” to a single treatment method or restricted by conventional medical training. His practice incorporates a wide array of techniques and methodologies to get to...

The proteome is the collection of proteins that are present within a specific cell, tissue, or system within the body. Our circulating proteome refers to the proteins circulating in our bloodstream and is made up of proteins that are either produced in the circulatory system, or proteins that enter the bloodstream from other organs and tissues in the body. Why do we care about this? As we know, proteins are extremely important! They are influencer molecules that maintain our health, and...

If you’re human, I’m sure you’ve been stressed out at some point in time. Unfortunately, it is an inevitable occurrence during any stage of life. Not only does stress make you feel older, in a very real sense, it can speed up aging. But, what if you could reverse your increased aging following recovery from that stress?  In this week’s Everything Epigenetics podcast, Dr. Jesse Pognaik speaks with me about just that. We take a deep dive into his study which focuses on Biological Age being...

Measuring your Biological Age has been extremely popularized because of how highly correlated it is to almost every chronic disease and death. However, the Biological Age of a person is limited in the sense that it is a “historical-based” age, meaning it only captures how quickly you’ve been aging since your inception up until the present moment. Have you ever wondered how quickly you’re aging at this very second? We need a metric that can tell us if we are currently aging in the right...