Biological Age Prediction From Wearable Device Movement Data Identifies Nutritional and Pharmacological Interventions for Healthy Aging

Abstract

Intervening in aging processes is hypothesized to extend healthy years of life and treat age-related disease, thereby providing great benefit to society. However, the ability to measure the biological aging process in individuals, which is necessary to test for efficacy of these interventions, remains largely inaccessible to the general public. Here we used NHANES physical activity accelerometer data from a wearable device and machine-learning algorithms to derive biological age predictions for individuals based on their movement patterns. We found that accelerated biological aging from our “MoveAge” predictor is associated with higher all-cause mortality. We further searched for nutritional or pharmacological compounds that associate with decelerated aging according to our model. A number of nutritional components peak in their association to decelerated aging later in life, including fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E. We additionally identified one FDA-approved drug associated with decelerated biological aging: the alpha-blocker doxazosin. We show that doxazosin extends healthspan and lifespan in C. elegans. Our work demonstrates how a biological aging score based on relative mobility can be accessible to the wider public and can potentially be used to identify and determine efficacy of geroprotective interventions.

Human age reversal: Fact or fiction?

“…In the same study, the authors demonstrate that doxazosin elongates both lifespan and healthspan in nematode worms. The dietary intake of fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E was also associated with decelerated aging (McIntyre et al, 2021). Since a large number of molecules have been reported to enhance lifespan and/or healthspan in animal models (Tacutu et al, 2018), future research efforts should assess whether or not any of these compounds can safely influence aging clocks in humans.…”

Considerations Regarding Public Use of Longevity Interventions

“…Recently, our team demonstrated that calculating the biological aging rate in a population can serve to identify factors associated with age deceleration ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ). In this recent study, we used wearable device movement patterns to define a biological aging score, and checked for food components and drugs that were associated with age deceleration ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ). We identified fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E as food components and the use of alpha blocker doxazosin as a pharmaceutical associated to younger biological age ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ).…”

“…In this recent study, we used wearable device movement patterns to define a biological aging score, and checked for food components and drugs that were associated with age deceleration ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ). We identified fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E as food components and the use of alpha blocker doxazosin as a pharmaceutical associated to younger biological age ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ). Remarkably, we demonstrated that treating C. elegans with doxazosin could increase their aging health (measured by mobility and motility) in addition to their lifespan ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ).…”

“…We identified fiber, magnesium, and vitamin E as food components and the use of alpha blocker doxazosin as a pharmaceutical associated to younger biological age ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ). Remarkably, we demonstrated that treating C. elegans with doxazosin could increase their aging health (measured by mobility and motility) in addition to their lifespan ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ).…”

“…After a pre-defined period of administration, individuals assess their biological age, compared to their chronological age, to determine if the drug has a statistical effect at decelerating aging in the population tested ( Figure 2 ). The most accessible biological aging score may be one based on accelerometers, as we have recently developed ( McIntyre et al, 2021 ), since most individuals possess one in their mobile phones, smart watches, or fitness trackers.…”