Pace of Aging (DunedinPACE)

Specialist

also dunedinpace, pace-of-aging clock

What it isA DNA methylation-based algorithm trained to estimate the current rate at which biology is aging, rather than cumulative biological age. A value of 1.0 corresponds to one year of biological aging per chronological year; lower means slower aging.

DoesCaptures the present-day pace of biological change, sensitive to lifestyle and intervention effects within months to years.

GoodA pace below 1.0 indicates aging slower than chronological time, predicting longer healthspan and lower mortality.

BadA pace above 1.0 predicts accelerated decline, higher mortality, and earlier onset of age-related disease. Smoking, obesity, chronic stress, and poor sleep all push the pace upward.

Standard

1.0 = aging at chronological pace.

Optimal

<0.9 (lower is good)

Modifiers

Acute illness, recent intense exercise, and pregnancy can transiently shift values; tissue source matters (blood is the standard).

How to optimize

Lifestyle: Zone 2 and strength training, prioritize sleep, stress reduction, smoking cessation, alcohol moderation, social connection.
Diet: Mediterranean pattern, adequate protein, plant variety, time-restricted eating in selected people.
Supplements: Omega-3 EPA+DHA 2–4 g/day, vitamin D3 if deficient, methylated B-vitamins, glycine, NAC, taurine, spermidine.
Peptides: Epitalon, Thymalin, MOTS-c, NAD+, SS-31.
Drugs: Metformin, rapamycin (off-label, experimental), GLP-1 receptor agonists in those with metabolic indications all under investigation for impact on pace of aging. -- End of reference.

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