Study: Specific Polyphenols in Diet Can Reverse Aging Clock

Overview

Diets rich in vegetables and fruits are believed to be beneficial for healthy aging. This secondary analysis aimed to delve deeper into the impact of specific components on this effect. The researchers focused on what they called "methyl adaptogens".

A secondary analysis of a previous study found that a diet rich in polyphenols could lower the epigenetic age of participants. This new study was published in the journal Aging and was conducted by researchers from multiple universities, including prestigious institutions in the field of natural products such as the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix, the Institute for Functional Medicine, and the National University of Natural Medicine. Other institutions involved in the study included the University of California, San Diego, Colorado State University, and the University of Washington.

The new analysis was a second review of data from a pilot trial called the "Methylation Diet and Lifestyle Study". This pilot trial examined how dietary adjustments affected markers of biological age rather than chronological age in participants. The study cohort consisted of 38 elderly individuals living in Portland, Oregon, who were mostly white and well-educated. These participants were in their 50s and 60s and most had regular exercise habits.

High variability observed in the first data analysis

The initial trial lasted for eight weeks. The intervention group switched to a diet high in vegetables and fruits and free of dairy products (interestingly, a bit of liver was also added), while the control group maintained their usual diet. The intervention group received guidance on which foods to consume but were not provided with the food.

During the trial, changes in epigenetic age were observed, but there was significant variability. This subsequent data analysis aimed to explain some of this variability and explore the specific active components associated with the changes.

Using the Horvath Clock

The primary endpoint was the change in participants' epigenetic age. This was measured using the so-called "Horvath Clock". This method was originally developed by Steve Horvath of the University of California, Los Angeles in 2013. It is an algorithmic approach to measuring DNA methylation that considers multiple tissue types. DNA methylation is a biological process in which a methyl group (CH3) is added to a DNA molecule. This can alter gene expression and have negative effects on the function of various tissues. Since the first studies in this field by Horvath and colleagues in the early 2010s, the idea that DNA methylation biomarkers can determine biological age has gained widespread acceptance.

Focusing on "methyl adaptogens"

In this study, the authors focused on the impact of certain specific components, which they called "methyl adaptogens" because "they have the potential to be polyphenol modulators of DNA methylation".

These specific components/foods included turmeric, green tea, oolong tea, rosemary, garlic, and berries.

All participants in the intervention group consumed significantly more cruciferous vegetables, so-called "colorful vegetables", and fruits. Compared to the control group, the intervention group consumed more pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and beets, drank less alcohol, and consumed much less dairy. In terms of methyl donors, the intervention group's intake was more than twice that of the control group. The intake of methyl donors enhanced the effect of a healthy diet. The study results showed that the Horvath clock measurement values of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group. The researchers stated that this effect was more pronounced when associated with the intake of methyl donors. The mechanism of action of these components may be to regulate DNA methyltransferase, the enzyme responsible for adding methyl groups to DNA. The authors noted that these components are also associated with the protection of telomeres, the structures at the ends of DNA molecules that protect the integrity of DNA strands. However, this was not directly measured in the study. Related: New research shows that omega-3 is associated with better mental health outcomes. The authors pointed out that these findings "are consistent with an increasing number of studies that clarify the protective role of polyphenol intake in biological aging." They concluded that "consuming foods classified as methyl donors due to their potential to regulate DNA methylation is associated with a slower aging rate."