Failure to faithfully replicate and preserve stem cell DNA appears to be the final common pathway to premature aging
The best marker for biological age is…
The fact that progeria-affected kids have undeniable biological aging despite young epigenetic and chronological ages implies that telomerpathies that drive them are still the most robust explanation for aging globally
A simpler explanation of the Horvath Epigenetic clock
The reason telomerase increases the aging clock is because the lineage of incidental methylation increases. The longer a stem cell (and its incidental methylation) have existed- the dustier the top of the fridge.
Solved: the Chicken came AFTER the Egg
In my search for wisdom about aging, I maintain that the primary cause is telomere shortening. This does not mean that methylation, signaling with stem cell produced vesicles (like packages with a purpose) don’t play a secondary role.
Even children “age” faster when they don’t sleep well
A study out of Princeton looking at 1,567 9-yo children found that for each hour less than the recommended 9-11 hours of sleep, they averaged 1.5% shorter telomeres.