When most people think of “aging backwards,” they picture something like erasing wrinkles with Botox or filler—or literally morphing back into a baby, à la Benjamin Button. While that’s certainly one way to look at it—and a popular one, thanks to the prevalence of anti-aging skincare—new research suggests there may actually be a science-backed way to reverse aging on a biological level.
Recently published in Nutrients, the study examined how obesity affects biological aging (which can and often does differ from one's actual, lived age), and whether this accelerated aging could be slowed or reversed by following a specific diet.
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To do so, the researchers analyzed two groups—20 individuals at a “normal” weight and 24 individuals with obesity—comparing their biological ages to their chronological ages using three different epigenetic clocks. These estimate biological aging based on changes in DNA’s chemical structure, specifically through patterns of methylation.
They also followed a third group of 10 individuals with obesity over the course of six months. Participants in this group were placed on a specific diet and had their biological ages measured at three key points: before starting the diet, midway through and at the end of the six-month period. Researchers also tracked changes in body weight, BMI and a range of metabolic health markers, including insulin, glucose, cholesterol and inflammation.
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As for which diet they were following? It was a very low-calorie ketogenic diet (VLCKD), which is often referred to as "keto."
After ensuring adherence and sustained ketosis by regularly monitoring participants' blood ketone levels, the researchers concluded the following.
Obesity Accelerates Biological Aging
It turns out, obesity isn't just about appearance or weight: It can actually cause your body to age faster.
More specifically, the study found that obesity accelerated aging at the cellular level by an average of four years compared to people of normal weight. This epigenetic aging was closely linked to BMI; the higher the BMI, the faster the biological aging.
That said, the very low-calorie ketogenic diet seemed to significantly slow down aging in people with obesity—and by as much as six to eight years on average after just 30 days of being in ketosis.
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Even more impressive? This effect lasted after six months. The age slowdown seemed strongly linked to higher ketone levels and improvements in metabolic health—especially when it came to insulin, glucose, cholesterol and inflammation.
What's more, this effect lasted after six months, and the age slowdown was seemingly tied to ketone levels and improvements in metabolic health. This was especially the case in terms of insulin, glucose, cholesterol and inflammation.
Also of note? Despite leading to similar weight loss, bariatric surgery did not produce the same anti-aging effects at the biological level. This suggests that it’s not just the weight loss that matters. In fact, the researchers believe that the ketosis itself may be driving these benefits, since ketones seem to have powerful effects on reducing inflammation, oxidative stress and improving cellular function—all of which are closely linked to slowing biological aging.
Related: What Is the Keto Diet and How Does It Work?
Why Does This Matter for Me?
This research highlights a powerful truth about health: the age on your driver’s license doesn’t always match the age of your cells. In fact, your body could be aging faster than you realize—and that process is largely influenced by your lifestyle.
The good news? There are science-backed ways to slow—or even reverse—that process. This study suggests that following a medically guided ketogenic diet may help “rewind” your biological clock by reducing inflammation, improving metabolic health and producing protective ketones that help repair the body at a cellular level.
For people struggling with obesity or related conditions, this could become a powerful anti-aging strategy—and could even open the door to personalized, nutrition-based approaches to healthy aging. Just be sure to talk to a medical professional before trying any new diet or lifestyle plan.
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Sources
"Epigenetic Aging Acceleration in Obesity Is Slowed Down by Nutritional Ketosis Following Very Low-Calorie Ketogenic Diet (VLCKD): A New Perspective to Reverse Biological Age." Nutrients. Read More Details
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