What's your biological age?

Equally - if not more - important than chronicial age is your biological age. In part, this is determined by genes. Mostly, however, how we age is down to how well we look after ourselves. Lucia Cockcroft delves a little deeper.

Ancient yoga philosophy may contend that, as yogis, we should be 'above' earthly worries concerning aging, or appearance. Yet mostly, this doesn't quite tally with reality.

For most of us, the spectre of getting older looms large - and not in a good way.

More often than not in the modern world, the natural ageing process is viewed  as a depressing, inevitable fact of life, over which the individual has little or no control.

The level of anxiety most of us experience about getting older was clearly demonstrated by a Department of Health Survey in October 2009, which revealed that 86% of people questioned said there were worried about getting older.

More than half (54%) admitted to worrying about losing their mind and their memory, while the same number fretted about illness or infirmity.

The message that getting older equals inevitable decline is reinforced over and over again by a powerful, multi-million pound anti-ageing industry selling us a gamut of products and 'instant' solutions - everything from anti-wrinkle creams to plastic surgery.

A quick google search on the words 'anti ageing products' produces a staggering 10,600,000 results.

Yet by adopting this fatalistic approach we are overlooking the relevance of lifestyle and biological age in the ageing equation.

For arguably more important than how old we are on paper is our biological age - an individual's own age determined by physiology rather than chronology.

What is biological age?
In a nutshell, biological age is determined by a complicated combination of factors such as cells and tissue function; physical structure of the body; and cognitive function.

We all know someone who looks ten or fifteen years younger than their chronological age. Yoga teachers, for example, almost uniformly look far younger than their 'real' age. Equally, we all know, or have seen, that unfortunate person who looks decades older than they are - perhaps through a combination of bad posture, wrinkly skin or that smoker's cough.

The good news is that, as individuals, the way we age is largely in our own hands. According to Tim Bean, author of 'Turn Back Your Age Clock - look and feel 20 years younger in only 8 weeks' (published by Hamlyn), ageing is a perception.

He says: 'A lot of the symptoms we associate with ageing don't have anything to do with getting old. Incontinence, cellulite, lack of energy, posture, heart disease - people think these diseases are characteristic of what happens when you grow older. Actually, most of these conditions are lifestyle-related.'

According to Bean, as a society, we tend to remove ourselves from the responsibility of looking after ourselves, and place that onus instead on the medical profession.

'Some people, by increasing their risk of a major disease such as cancer or heart disease, are putting themselves on a fast track to destruction. Simply, through lack of care, we allow ourselves to age much faster.'

These comments are echoed by Howard Napper, London-based yoga teacher and author of a book he is currently writing, 'Power of Ageing - How to Age without Growing Old'. Napper, who his also an expert on stress and back care, argues that biological age is far more relevant and important than chronological age.

He says: 'In brief, a low biological age comes down to good diet and nutrition, regular exercise and work life balance. Yoga is good on a number of these points but mainly in the area of homoeostasis - the body needs to maintain a stable internal environment in order to achieve optimum health.'

Napper adds that the role of the individual in determining his or her health has been massively downplayed in the UK: "What has been realised through studies with twins is that we are 20-25% influenced by our genes. Eighty per cent of how we age is down to lifestyle.

Much focus has been placed on genetics, but, while genetics is important, it only tells us about our potential - genetics is not a blueprint. It's entirely possible for a 65-year old to have the biological age of a 25-year old - and vice versa.'

However, according to Dr Rajendra Sharma, doctor, integrated healthcare expert and founder of London's The Diagnostic Clinic, the mainstream medical profession has yet to embrace the concept of biological age.

 
In Doctor Sharma's view, an individual's biological and chronological ages are equally important  He says: 'The simple rule is that you are as old as the oldest part of your body.

There are three main areas where humans can age: cardiovascular, connected to heart problems; neurological, leading to dementia; and a compromised immune system, which is the leading cause of death in the elderly.

'Other factors are de-mineralisation in the body, leading to osteoporosis; high stress levels; and the individual's ability to de-detoxify.'

The message is crystal clear: to optimise your biological age, organise your life - even if it means a gradual lifestyle shift - so that you get enough exercise, have a good work/life balance, eat a fruit and vegetable-rich diet, reduce or cut out alcohol and smoking, and are exposed to minimal stress levels. Your future health really does rest in your own hands.

How to reduce your biological age
Aim for an hour's exercise a day. This can include brisk walking and climbing stairs, as well as traditional exercise such as swimming. Ensure you incorporate weight-bearing exercises in your routine to retain muscle strength - yoga is fabulous because it works on upper, as well as lower, body strength, as well as helping you de-stress.

Related to regular exercise is the ned to keep body weight at a 'normal' level. Escalating obesity rates have a clear link to increased risk of developing a wide range of life-threatening illness, including cancer and heart disease.

Pull out the stops to eat healthily - aim for seven or eight portions of vegetables and a couple of portions of fruit, every day. Limit, or cut out, red meat consumption. If you do eat meat, think of it as a treat, eating it sparingly, and buy organic only. Take a multi-vitamin and mineral supplement daily.

Don't smoke! If you do, stop - seeking professional help if necessary. Smoking increases your body's toxic load and is the single biggest cause of premature ageing.

Limit alcohol consumption to a couple of glasses of wine or a few units of beer a week. Try to think about having an alcoholic drink for special occasions only.

Do as much as you can to limit stress levels. That may mean re-thinking elements of your lifestyle. Actively make time for relaxation and switching off; limit TV viewing in the evening and read a book, or phone a friend instead. Take up practices such as meditation and yoga, that will help your mind, if you haven't already.

Take regular breaks throughout the day - and if your current job is causing you to become ill through workload or stress, pull out the stops to get another one. Life's too short not too, and may be shorter if you don't.

Keep your brain in good shape with crosswords, puzzles and games. Take up a new hobby! It's important to exercise your mind too!