Biological Age Clocks: Clinical Tool or Just a Distraction?
In recent years, the concept of “biological age” has captured the public imagination. From at-home test kits to social media influencers chasing extreme longevity routines, clients are walking into clinics armed with new numbers they believe hold the key to their future health. But how much of this is scientifically valid—and how should practitioners respond?
The first episode of the Precision Protocol Series from Biocanic, hosted by Jeremy Malecha with co-host Brendan Vermeire of Metabolic Solutions, takes a deep dive into the science, hype, and clinical realities of biological age testing. The conversation pulls apart what these tools can and cannot do, how they might fit into a clinical workflow, and why the foundation of care still matters most.
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The Allure of the Biological Age Clock
Clients want simple answers. One number that captures their health status is compelling and easy to understand. Jeremy shares his own experience with two popular direct-to-consumer platforms. Function Health and Superpower, which produced similar but not identical results. The six-year difference between tests raised the obvious question: how can two respected services produce such different outcomes for the same person at the same time?
Brendan notes that variability is common. The algorithms, data sets, and biomarkers used in each calculation can shift the final number. That makes interpretation tricky, especially for practitioners aiming to give evidence-based guidance.
What These Tests Actually Measure
Most current blood-based biological age clocks rely on a limited set of standard chemistry markers: albumin, creatinine, glucose, hs-CRP, lymphocytes, mean corpuscular volume, red cell distribution width, alkaline phosphatase, and white blood cell count.
But results are influenced by short-term fluctuations. Brendan explains,
“Under the presence of inflammation, copper will go up in the blood and zinc will go down. That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s a cellular nutrient deficiency—it could just be inflammation altering the nutrient levels.”
This means a single test should not be treated as a definitive health score. Tracking over time, while controlling for variables, is far more useful.
The Missing Pieces
Many biological age algorithms leave out key markers for hormone function, cortisol patterns, and advanced inflammatory or oxidative stress levels. Brendan points out that even something like the copper-to-zinc ratio—sensitive to both inflammation and immune aging—can provide valuable context.
“You kind of have to evaluate what else is going on—look at your inflammatory biomarkers before deciding if it’s a nutritional issue or an inflammatory one,” he says.
The Practitioner’s Challenge
When a patient presents a biological age score that alarms them, Brendan recommends avoiding a dismissive approach. Instead, focus on the underlying biomarkers, trends over time, and whether they reflect a nutritional deficiency, inflammation, or another modifiable factor.
“If somebody had a low plasma zinc and a low RBC zinc, I generally think they need supplementation, but if inflammation is present, we have to put out the fire first,” Brendan explains.
Clinical Priorities
Both hosts agree on the sequence: address root causes before jumping into supplementation or protocols based solely on a test score.
“Let’s calm the inflammation and then see how that changes the nutritional biomarkers,” Brendan advises.
This patient-first approach ensures that interventions target the true driver of imbalance.
Learning from the Longevity Movement
High-profile longevity enthusiasts like Bryan Johnson have fueled public interest in anti-aging science, but their extreme protocols can create unrealistic expectations. Brendan contrasts this with the lifestyle patterns of Blue Zone populations, where longevity is achieved without obsessive self-tracking, just purposeful living, natural movement, community, and balanced diets.
Jeremy sees value in the awareness brought by figures like Peter Attia and Andrew Huberman but warns that clients can get lost in trial-and-error experimentation without professional guidance.
Building a Practical Longevity Program
Brendan’s own longevity framework starts with fundamentals: diet, rest, exercise, stress reduction, and targeted supplementation. More advanced therapies, like hormone replacement or peptides, come only after the basics are in place and supported by objective biomarkers.
Jeremy adds that consumer biological age tests can serve as conversation starters, bringing motivated clients into a practitioner’s care—where results can be translated into action.
Navigating the Direct-to-Consumer Testing Boom
Direct-to-consumer testing has exploded, democratizing access to health data but also presenting interpretation challenges. Many conventional healthcare systems don’t order advanced lipid, thyroid, or inflammatory panels due to cost or clinician unfamiliarity. These consumer platforms can fill gaps, but without proper context, clients may misinterpret results.
For practitioners, the key is integration—using these reports as part of a broader assessment, not the sole driver of recommendations.
The Bigger Picture
Biological age clocks reflect a growing demand for personalized, preventive healthcare. While current models have limits, they can be valuable when interpreted in context. The true power lies in pairing advanced science with grounded, client-centered care—ensuring that the pursuit of longevity stays both effective and sustainable.
Key Takeaways
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Biological age is a conversation starter, not a diagnosis.
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Always review the biomarkers driving the score.
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Track changes over time—avoid making decisions from a single test.
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Leverage client enthusiasm to build trust and guide evidence-based care.
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Reinforce the fundamentals: nutrition, movement, sleep, and stress resilience.
- Learn more about Brendan Vermeire at IG @the_holistic_savage
This was only a fraction of the insight shared in the Precision Protocol Series episode with Brendan Vermeire. In the full conversation, we dive deeper into biological age clocks, clinical interpretation pitfalls, and actionable protocols for inflammation, nutrient balance, and healthy aging.