Scientists reversed biological age in older adults in just 4 weeks

A study conducted at the University of Sydney suggests that older adults may be able to reverse some aspects of biological aging within just four weeks by altering their diet. The research, led by Dr. Caitlin Andrews, involved 104 participants aged 65 to 75 who were randomly assigned to one of four diets. All diets provided 14 percent of total energy from protein, with varying levels of dietary fat and animal-based protein.

Two diets were omnivorous, while the other two were semi-vegetarian. Within these groups, participants followed either a high-fat, low-carbohydrate or low-fat, high-carbohydrate diet.

The findings, published in Aging Cell, indicate that the three diets with reduced dietary fat and/or animal-based protein showed reductions in the estimated biological age of participants' biomarker profiles. The strongest statistical evidence was observed in the semi-vegetarian high-carbohydrate group, who ate a diet containing 14 percent protein, 28-29 percent fat, and 53 percent carbohydrates.

However, the researchers caution that the study is preliminary and that further research is needed to determine whether these changes are sustained and whether they lead to a lower risk of age-related diseases. Biological age, unlike chronological age, is an estimate of how old the body appears based on its health and physiological condition.

The study's findings provide an early indication of the potential benefits of dietary changes in later life, but more research is needed to confirm these results.