How do you measure your biological age – and what can you actually do about it?

Chronological age counts years. Biological age measures how the body actually feels – at a cellular level. The distinction between the two has become central in modern aging research: biological age attempts to capture the molecular, physiological, and environmental changes that shape frailty and disease risk (Tarkhov et al., 2026).

Two people who are both 50 years old can have a biological age of 42 and 61, respectively. This matters – not just for how they feel today, but for their long-term health and risk of age-related diseases.

How is it measured?

There are several methods, and they measure partly different things:

Epigenetic clocks are currently the most well-studied method. DNA methylation – chemical markers that change predictably with age – is analyzed via blood tests. Second-generation clocks, such as PhenoAge, are more reflective of physiological age because they incorporate blood chemistry like glucose levels – and have a better ability to predict age-related health conditions compared to earlier models (Levine et al., 2018).

Body composition and metabolic markers are a more direct and accessible way to understand one's biological age. High BMI, elevated blood sugar, and poor blood pressure profiles accelerate aging – while physical activity and a healthier diet slow it down (Kawamura et al., 2025). Muscle mass, visceral fat, bone density, and muscle-to-fat ratio are all strong indicators that can be measured today, without lab tests.

VO2 max and cardiovascular fitness is another marker. A study by Kawamura et al. (2025) showed that older men with higher oxygen uptake capacity had significantly slower epigenetic aging.

Visbody S30 – a concrete tool to see where you actually stand

It doesn't have to start with an expensive DNA test. Visbody S30 is the world's first 3D body scanner that combines three-dimensional body modeling with bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) – and in just a few minutes provides a detailed picture of precisely the factors that most strongly correlate with biological aging: muscle mass, visceral fat, muscle-to-fat ratio, and metabolic status.

It's a powerful starting point – both for individuals who want to understand their bodies better, and for clinics and fitness facilities that want to give their clients objective, measurable data to work with. Not gut feeling. Data.

What can you actually do to influence it?

This is where it gets really interesting – because biological age isn't set in stone.

Strength training and cardio are the most well-documented intervention. A review by Kawamura et al. (2025), published in the journal Aging, shows that structured exercise can slow down and in some cases reverse epigenetic aging. Intervention studies in humans showed measurable reductions in biological age markers after combined aerobic and strength training.

HBOT has shown remarkable results in clinical studies. In a study by Hachmo et al. (2020), published in the journal Aging, healthy adults over 64 years old underwent 60 HBOT sessions over 90 days at Shamir Medical Center and Tel Aviv University. The results showed that telomeres in immune cells grew by over 20% – and up to 37.6% in some cell types – while the proportion of senescent cells decreased by up to 37%. The study's lead author describes it as a breakthrough: a rate of telomere elongation far beyond what has been achieved with any other lifestyle or treatment intervention in human research.

Diet and sleep are cornerstones that research consistently highlights and which amplify the effect of more advanced interventions like HBOT.

From Measurement to Change

What's unique about biological age as a metric is that it creates a concrete, motivating starting point. When you see in black and white where you stand – in the form of body data, fitness scores, or cellular markers – the conditions for actually doing something about it change.

That's exactly what we at Lyfe Nordic do. Visbody S30 provides you and your clients with the starting point. HyperPod offers one of the most well-studied interventions to truly impact the outcome. Together, they form one of the strongest combination offerings you can build a longevity-focused business around.

Want to learn more about how Visbody S30 or HyperPod can fit into your business? Book a free consultation →

References

1. Levine ME, et al. "An epigenetic biomarker of aging for lifespan and healthspan." Aging (2018). DOI: 10.18632/aging.101414
2. Hachmo Y, Hadanny A, Abu Hamed R, et al. "Hyperbaric oxygen therapy increases telomere length and decreases immunosenescence in isolated blood cells: a prospective trial." Aging (2020). DOI: 10.18632/aging.202188
3. Kawamura T, Higuchi M, Radak Z, Taki Y. "Exercise as a geroprotector: focusing on epigenetic aging." Aging (2025). DOI: 10.18632/aging.206278