A study led by Yale researchers has identified specific prescription medications and lifestyle habits associated with reductions in biological age markers measured by DNA-based epigenetic clocks, while over-the-counter supplements generally failed to produce measurable reductions. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, analysed data from 51 clinical studies and more than 110 DNA methylation biomarkers.
Biological age, as distinct from chronological age, is estimated through epigenetic clocks that analyse chemical modifications, particularly methyl groups, attached to DNA. Changes in these markers have been linked to aging, and some interventions may reverse certain age-associated patterns.
The research team, whose lead author was associate research scientist Raghav Sehgal, grouped interventions into four categories: prescription drugs, lifestyle modifications, over-the-counter supplements and medical procedures. The strongest reductions in epigenetic age were associated with prescription medications used for metabolic regulation and weight management, including metformin and semaglutide, as well as anti-TNF therapies that target inflammation. Regular physical activity combined with a healthy diet, including Mediterranean, low-fat and low-carb eating plans, also consistently lowered biological age markers.
In contrast, over-the-counter supplements evaluated in the studies did not produce measurable reductions. Some medical procedures similarly showed little effect. The analysis also found that newer biological age clocks performed better than older versions, and that people living with diseases generally experienced larger changes than healthy participants.
"For the first time we've shown that certain therapies have measurable impacts," Sehgal said. "This wasn't previously possible, because we didn't have enough data to say these biomarkers are consistently responsive to these interventions."
Senior author Albert Higgins-Chen stressed caution: "We have developed a rigorous, systematic approach to evaluating and comparing how biomarkers change across a wide variety of interventions, and that is a critical step in the right direction. However, the true meaning of that change must be fully understood."
Researchers emphasised that reductions in biological age markers do not necessarily translate to longer life or fewer age-related diseases. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings in larger, more diverse populations and to determine how quickly changes occur and whether they persist.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- Provides evidence-based ranking of anti-aging strategies, showing which interventions produce measurable biomarker changes and which do not.
- If validated, epigenetic clocks could allow rapid evaluation of new therapies, reducing reliance on decades-long clinical trials.
- Highlights a gap between popular over-the-counter supplements and their lack of measured effect, informing consumer choices.
Background
The study synthesised data from 51 clinical studies investigating various anti-aging interventions. Researchers used epigenetic clocks, which measure DNA methylation patterns, to assess biological age. This approach allowed the team to compare multiple interventions using a common biomarker framework.
What to Watch
- Large-scale replication studies in diverse populations to confirm the findings.
- Ongoing investigation into whether changes in epigenetic age correlate with long-term health outcomes.
- Potential development of validated biomarkers for faster screening of anti-aging therapies.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 12 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedThe headline says certain prescription drugs, a healthy diet and exercise are linked to lower biological-age markers.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “Their findings suggest that certain prescription medications and lifestyle changes can reduce biological age as measured by DNA-based blood tests.”
- SupportedThe summary says over-the-counter supplements showed little effect in an analysis of 51 clinical studies.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “The researchers brought together findings from 51 clinical studies investigating different anti-aging strategies. These ranged from dietary supplements and medications to lifestyle changes and medical procedures. Across those studies, the team examined more than 110 DNA methylation biomarkers (including 16 major epigenetic clocks).”
- SupportedThe study examined more than 110 DNA methylation biomarkers across 51 clinical studies.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “The researchers brought together findings from 51 clinical studies investigating different anti-aging strategies. These ranged from dietary supplements and medications to lifestyle changes and medical procedures. Across those studies, the team examined more than 110 DNA methylation biomarkers (including 16 major epigenetic clocks).”
- SupportedSehgal said, “For the first time we've shown that certain therapies have measurable impacts,” and that this was previously impossible because there was not enough data to establish the biomarkers’ consistent responsiveness.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"For the first time we've shown that certain therapies have measurable impacts," said Sehgal. "This wasn't previously possible, because we didn't have enough data to say these biomarkers are consistently responsive to these interventions."”
- SupportedThe strongest reductions in biological-age markers were associated with metformin, semaglutide and anti-TNF therapies.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “The strongest reductions in biological age markers were associated with certain pharmaceutical treatments. These included metformin and semaglutide, prescription medications used to manage metabolic conditions and body weight, as well as anti-TNF therapies that target a protein involved in the body's inflammatory response.”
- SupportedRegular physical activity combined with healthy eating, including Mediterranean, low-fat and low-carb diets, consistently reduced epigenetic age.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “Combining regular physical activity with a healthy eating plan consistently reduced epigenetic age. The dietary approaches examined included Mediterranean, low-fat, and low-carb diets.”
- SupportedThe over-the-counter supplements and some medical procedures examined did not produce measurable reductions in epigenetic age.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “In the studies examined, these approaches did not produce measurable reductions in epigenetic age.”
- SupportedNewer biological-age clocks performed better than older versions.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “The researchers also discovered that newer biological age clocks performed better than older versions.”
- SupportedPeople living with diseases generally experienced larger changes in aging biomarkers than healthy participants.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “Another important finding was that people living with diseases generally experienced larger changes in their aging biomarkers than healthy participants.”
- SupportedHiggins-Chen said the team had developed a rigorous, systematic approach to comparing biomarker changes and that the true meaning of those changes must be understood.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “"We have developed a rigorous, systematic approach to evaluating and comparing how biomarkers change across a wide variety of interventions, and that is a critical step in the right direction," he said. "However, the true meaning of that change must be fully understood."”
- SupportedReductions in biological-age markers do not necessarily mean people will live longer or avoid age-related diseases.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “The findings, published in Nature Medicine , could help scientists evaluate anti-aging treatments more effectively, although researchers emphasize that changes in biological age markers do not necessarily mean people will live longer or avoid age-related diseases.”
- SupportedFurther research is needed in larger, more diverse populations and to establish how quickly marker changes occur and whether they persist.Latest Science News -- ScienceDaily: “According to Sehgal, the next priority is to test these findings in larger, more diverse populations.”
