Can a Cheek Swab Reveal Your Biological Age?
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Photo Illustration by Michela Buttignol for Verywell Health; Getty Images
Fact checked by Nick BlackmerFact checked by Nick Blackmer
Key TakeawaysA new tool called CheekAge claims it can tell biological age using DNA from a simple cheek swab instead of a blood sample.Experts say a cheek swab might not provide a complete picture of biological aging.The company that funded the study on CheekAge used the study data to create an online quiz for biological age.
Can a simple cheek swab reveal how old you are biologically? A study funded by Tally Health claims that CheekAge, a new tool in development, can use DNA samples collected through a swab to predict biological age.Biological age refers to the condition of your body and cells, which may differ from your actual age based on factors like genetics, lifestyle, and overall health.Most available biological age tests are based on blood samples, but the study noted these tests can be “invasive, unpleasant, and challenging to collect in a home setting.”Any DNA cells in the body can register components of biological changes, so a cheek swab could be feasible, said Douglas Vaughan, MD, director of the Potocsnak Longevity Institute and a professor of cardiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine.“The problem is how reliable a measurement like that from your cheek is compared to what’s going on in your heart, kidneys, brain,” Vaughan said.A DNA sample might not provide the whole picture because your body’s different organ systems “age at different rates,” he added. “It’s unlikely that a sample from one site can capture all the information” needed to accurately assess your biological age.Tally Health has used data from the study to create a quiz you can take that can supposedly teach you about your biological age. The quiz starts with the question, “How old are you, really?” and then asks users to provide information on their lifestyle habits, such as alcohol consumption and sleep.While studies on biological aging are helpful to longevity researchers, knowing your biological age won’t necessarily help you, experts say. A quiz is also unlikely to provide an accurate picture of your health status.“A consumer should do it with a large grain of salt. It probably doesn’t provide complete information about what’s going on with them,” Vaughan said.
Related: Your Body Gets Much Older at These Two Ages, Study Shows
Even if you do find out about your biological age, you won’t be able to do much about it. Scientists still don’t know why some people age faster than others on a cellular level or what interventions could slow that process down, said Daniel Belsky, PhD, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Robert N. Butler Columbia Aging Center at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.“We do know some things, but they’re not super exciting,” Beksly said, adding that lifestyle habits like exercising, eating a healthy diet, and not smoking may help reduce the risk of premature aging.
What This Means For YouBiological age tests like CheekAge may sound intriguing, but experts suggest interpreting the results cautiously. Maintaining healthy lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise and a balanced diet, remains a more reliable way to support overall well-being.
Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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