Biological age, a wake-up call

EXPERTS STATE that they often do not bring up the subject till the patient is aware of the same and is willing to get assessed. These are very rare cases and it is not done very regularly as preventive healthcare is yet to take off in India.

Biological age is a marker for ageing process but at the clinical level frailty index is used to assess the quality of life and fitness.

The use of biological age in clinical practice is not there.

Dr Dilip Gude, senior general physician and diabetologist explained: “Biological age can be used to assess the risk of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. It is an evidence-based marker and hence has a scientific quantification to it. But in practice, we find that there is resistance to find out one’s biological age. The concept needs to be popularised as it will give a wake-up call and also make an individual understand the need for physical fitness.”

Presently, experts state that to look young, there are many people who go after fad diets or opt for surgeries but the core has to be strengthened to ensure that the immune system is strong. For this reason, assessing the bio- logical age is important and can work as a good marker.

Experts state that they often do not bring up the subject till the patient is aware of the same and is willing to get assessed. These are very rare cases and it is not done very regularly as preventive healthcare is yet to take off in India.

Dr G. Srinivas, a senior general physician explained: “The master and general health checkups are an indication of the biological age. But it is not mentioned as the patient would throw a fit. There is a need to create awareness about the process of ageing. Presently, diagnostics is focused on identifying diseases and less on prevention.”