MEDITERRANEAN DIET, EXERCISE MAY SUPPORT HEALTHIER AGING, STUDY FINDS

Islamabad: A major new study examining biological markers associated with aging has found that healthy diets, regular exercise and some medical treatments may influence biological processes linked with aging, while over-the-counter supplements showed little consistent evidence of producing similar effects.
The study, published in Nature Medicine, combined data from 51 longitudinal intervention studies and examined more than 110 DNA methylation biomarkers related to biological aging.
Researchers assessed the effects of dietary changes, exercise, medications and supplements on epigenetic biomarkers, sometimes referred to as biological or epigenetic clocks.
The findings indicated that healthy dietary patterns, including Mediterranean-style diets, as well as regular physical activity, were associated with favourable changes in several biomarkers linked with aging.
Some medications, including treatments used for diabetes, weight management and inflammatory conditions, showed larger average effects on the biological markers examined.
However, researchers and independent experts cautioned that changes in epigenetic biomarkers do not prove that an intervention actually slows human aging or extends lifespan.
The researchers said biomarkers can provide an earlier indication of biological changes without requiring decades-long studies, but further research is needed to determine whether such changes ultimately translate into longer life, better physical function and improved long-term health.
The study also found limited and inconsistent evidence supporting broad anti-aging claims associated with over-the-counter supplements.
Experts stressed that supplements may still be useful for individuals with specific nutritional deficiencies or medical requirements, but current evidence does not support relying on supplements as a universal strategy for slowing aging.
Researchers further cautioned against healthy individuals taking prescription medicines such as metformin or semaglutide solely for anti-aging purposes, noting that observed benefits in some studies may partly result from improvements in underlying metabolic disease, inflammation or other health conditions.
According to experts, the strongest evidence for healthy aging continues to support regular aerobic and resistance exercise, a balanced and nutritious diet, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, obtaining sufficient sleep and properly managing blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.
The researchers concluded that while it remains impossible to stop chronological aging, established lifestyle measures can significantly influence health and help people maintain better physical and metabolic function as they grow older.