AI Summary
5 min readYour biological age—how old your cells actually are—can differ from your chronological age by a decade or more, and the gap is largely within your control. A landmark 2018 study in the journal Aging identified nine routine blood markers that predict mortality better than cholesterol, and showed that two people born on the same day can have bodies 15 to 27 years apart in biological age. Dr. Josh Axe walks through 12 warning signs that your body may be aging faster than it should, each backed by published research, along with specific, actionable fixes.
Strength and muscle are the top longevity signal
The single most powerful predictor of how fast you age is your fitness level. A massive study of roughly 140,000 adults across 17 countries found that a simple hand-grip test outperformed blood pressure in predicting who would live and who would die. Every five-kilogram drop in grip strength was linked to a 16 percent higher risk of death from any cause. The fix is straightforward: lift weights two to three times per week, eat protein at every meal, and walk daily. Axe emphasizes that muscle is a "longevity organ"—preserving it is more important than chasing peak performance. Even two days of resistance training per week, combined with daily walking and one short cardio session, can radically slow biological aging.
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What you'll learn
- 1 (00:00) **Episode Intro & Sponsors** - Advertisements for Ultra running shoes, PayPal, and Nesquik.
- 2 (01:30) **The Core Concept: Biological vs. Chronological Age** - Dr. Axe introduces the premise that two people of the same age can have bodies 27 years apart, and that this gap can be measured and controlled.
- 3 (05:05) **The 2018 Study's 9 Predictive Biomarkers** - Dr. Axe lists the nine blood markers from the study that are more predictive of mortality than cholesterol.
- 4 (06:52) **Sign #1: Losing Strength and Muscle** - A decline in physical strength, measured by grip strength, is a powerful predictor of mortality.
- 5 (13:18) **Sign #2: Mid-Afternoon Energy Crashes** - Waking up tired and relying on caffeine to get through the day signals mitochondrial fatigue and hormonal imbalance.
- 6 (15:52) **Sign #3: Premature Skin Wrinkling and Sagging** - Rapid changes in skin appearance, often accelerated by stress, are a visible sign of aging.
- 7 (17:08) **Sign #4: Excess Belly and Hip Fat** - Storing fat around the midsection indicates hormonal imbalance, which accelerates aging.
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Guests on this episode
Show Notes
Two people can share the same birthday while their bodies differ by more than a decade on the inside. In this episode, Dr. Josh Axe reveals 12 warning signs that your biological clock may be moving faster than it should and explains why some of the strongest predictors of longevity have little to do with the number on your driver’s license. Uncover what’s really going on in your body with advanced biomarker testing for hormones, thyroid, and metabolism— plus a 1-hour consultation with a Senior Health Advisor! → http://mybloodwork.com Thank you to our sponsors! Sunlighten Sauna: https://get.sunlighten.com/axepodcast Manukora Manuka Honey: https://manukora.com/axe Caraway Home: carawayhome.com/drjoshaxe (Use code DRJOSHAXE) for an exclusive discount Watch The Dr. Josh Axe Show every Monday & Thursday on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drjoshaxe?sub_confirmation=1 🎧 Early Access! Our listeners enjoy every episode before anyone else! Tune in below and join our exclusive group of listeners → Spotify: https://bit.ly/DrJoshAxeSpotify Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3JDvWcS Pre-order my NEW BOOK, Heal Your Cells → https://bit.ly/3QJBcQ5 Watch my free training on how to naturally balance your blood sugar and reverse your symptoms → http://DrAxeDiabetesClass.com Discover practical steps you can take today to start healing your thyroid naturally → http://DrAxeThyroidClass.com If you’re ready to start feeling like yourself again and balance your hormones, take my free class → http://DrAxeHormoneClass.com CONNECT WITH DR. JOSH AXE Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/drjoshaxe/ Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/DrJoshAxe/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@thedrjoshaxeshow/ X → https://x.com/drjoshaxe/ LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshaxe Website → http://thehealthinstitute.com Sign up for my newsletter → https://bit.ly/4oE9Jf3 Ask Dr. Axe → http://speakpipe.com/drjoshaxe 00:00 Is Your Body Aging Faster Than You Are? 01:28 Biological Age vs. Chronological Age 03:19 The Blood Markers That Predict Longevity 05:20 Sign #1: Losing Muscle and Grip Strength 11:46 Sign #2: Afternoon Energy Crashes 14:20 Sign #3: Early Wrinkles and Sagging Skin 15:36 Sign #4: Increasing Belly and Visceral Fat 17:08 Sign #5: Stiff, Achy and Inflamed Joints 18:37 Sign #6: Short and Broken Sleep 20:43 Sign #7: Chronic Stress and High Cortisol 23:34 Sign #8: Memory Loss and Brain Fog 25:18 Sign #9: Poor Gut Health and Digestion 26:13 Sign #10: Your Blood Markers Are Getting Worse 33:42 Sign #11: Loneliness and Weak Relationships 38:13 Sign #12: Losing Your Sense of Purpose 40:19 How to Slow Your Biological Clock 42:07 Dr. Axe’s Longevity Blueprint DISCLAIMER This content is strictly the opinion of Dr. Josh Axe and is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of medical advice or treatment from a personal physician. All viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified h
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