With life expectancy doubling over the last century, 50 is the new 30. But people nowadays don’t just want to live longer, they want to stay healthy and thrive in those later years too. Life after 40 often brings a heightened focus on health and well-being. Many people start taking a more proactive, preventative approach to health on all levels. You may start paying more attention to the latest biohacking trends- how to stay fit, remain cognitively sharp and feel energized. Of course, everyone should undergo regular health screenings, check-ups and vaccinations, but as you grow older in age, you may be searching for trained practitioners who run diagnostic tests that look beyond weight and blood pressure. These health or healthspan tests can provide detailed insight on your current and future wellbeing. Although no single longevity or healthspan test can predict your life expectancy, getting these health tests done can help to identify health problems before symptoms show, so you can act early. If you want to proactively optimize lifespan and healthspan, below are some health tests and preventative biomarker tests for people between the ages of 40 and 60, recommended by longevity doctors and experts. A general health checklist, similar to ones found in annual health checks or “wellness check-ups”, will follow.
LONGEVITY TESTS
According to renowned longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia, the majority of us will die as a result of one of the chronic diseases of aging: heart disease, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease) and type 2 diabetes/ related metabolic dysfunction. Thus, he proposes the following 5 blood tests to assess your risk for these “Four Horsemen of chronic disease”, most of which aren’t typically included in general health checks. The last two tests focus on genetics and the biological elements of disease and aging.
- Lp(a) aka Lipoprotein A. Lp(a) is a combination of fat and protein that transfers cholesterol in the blood. It is similar to LDL cholesterol but more “sticky”, and high levels in the blood are a risk factor for heart disease. This blood test may be particularly important for those with high LDL cholesterol levels or a family history of cardiovascular (blood and vessel) disease.
- LDL-P (or Apo B). Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) is a structural apolipoprotein of LDL particles that facilitates their transportation to the peripheral tissues. This biomarker is a predictor of cardiovascular disease. Dr. Peter Attia notes that even your standard lipid (cholesterol) panel results are within the norm, LDL-P test results may be high, which signals a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
- APOE genotype. APOE is a protein that participates in lipid metabolism and its gene contains 3 alleles (ε2, ε3, ε4) carrying the risk of predisposition for Alzheimer’s disease. Since human genotype is permanent, you only need to do the APOE gene analysis once. Those with an E4/E4 genotype are 14 times more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease. Click here to read more.
- OGTT with insulin measurements. Dr. Peter Attia believes that the Oral Glucose Tolerance Test is one of the most critical metrics for assessing metabolic health. The test shows how sugar is being absorbed by cells, and abnormal results can signal severe metabolic changes that increase the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
- ALT. Alanine transaminase (ALT) is an enzyme in one’s liver – the powerhouse of human metabolism. The ALT test assesses liver health because if the organ is damaged, ALT leaks into the blood. Elevated ALT levels in one’s blood signals liver cell injury.
- Consider getting a DNA health test done, one that not only looks at lifestyle, but also how well your body is managing or regulating key biological functions such as inflammation, methylation, detoxification, oxidative stress, etc. If your body has certain genetic defects or variants that affect the regulation of these processes, nutraceuticals and supplements can be prescribed to help the body do what it cannot do on its own.
- TRUDiagnostic’s TruAGE test tells you how old you really are from a biological standpoint, on a cellular level. It is the first epigenetic test that looks at genomic instability, cellular senescence (aging of the immune cells), DNA methylation, telomere length, etc., revealing how well you are aging, and how likely you are to enjoy a longer healthspan. It uses the OMICm Age algorithm that was developed in partnership with scientists from Brigham and Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School. This test gives a comprehensive and in-depth look at the different biomarkers and various biological elements of aging. It also breaks down your age-related risk of developing various diseases and death. Once you get your test results, a personalized treatment plan comprised of specific nutraceuticals and lifestyle changes will be discussed, and follow-up tests to assess progress will be recommended at regular intervals.
GENERAL HEALTH CHECKLIST FOR AGES 40 to 60
Below are general health screenings/ biomarkers for anyone over 40. Some should be done yearly while others can be done once every 3 to 10 years, depending on your health status and family history.
- blood pressure, body composition analysis (body weight, muscle mass, body fat percentage, BMR, metabolic age, etc.)
- Complete blood count, lipid panel, liver function tests, renal function tests, type 2 diabetes (fasting glucose, HbA1C), Hepatitis B and C, thyroid panel
- Vitamin D3
- Hs-CRP (a marker of low-grade, chronic inflammation)
- Cancer screening: colorectal cancer (colonoscopy), cervical cancer (PAP smear), breast cancer (mammogram, ultrasound), prostate cancer (PSA), lung cancer (chest X-ray, CT scan), cancer biomarkers (blood test)
- DEXA scan for bone health
- dental check-ups
- grip strength test, single-leg stance test
We all know that exercising regularly, adopting a healthful diet, getting adequate sleep, not smoking, not becoming overweight, and drinking a limited amount of alcohol (click here for the latest research on “how much alcohol is too much”?) can improve both lifespan and healthspan. But how much is enough for you, as an individual? What about stress? How does stress play a role, specifically in your aging process?
Many factors affect how quickly or how well you age- and the more you understand how your body is functioning, the better you can help it thrive. You are a unique being, and by investigating your unique biological make-up and functions at a cellular level, you can personalize the medical interventions as well as lifestyle needed to slow, stop or even reverse the biological aging processes in your body. Investigating first can help steer your anti-aging and wellness journey in the right direction.
Dr. Ardyce Yik offers the aforementioned longevity and health tests at her clinic. If interested, contact her today to kickstart your personalized journey to boost longevity and healthspan.
SOURCES:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK570621
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Dr. Ardyce Yik ND 
Hi Dr Yik Just wanted to check with you on the above and how the assessment would go. I currently have no health issues although some skin issues have just surfaced. The tests you mentioned above seem quite comprehensive.
Best Sheil Saw
Hi Sheila, thank you for reaching out. If you reside in Hong Kong, I’d be happy to help. If not, it is best to seek a qualified functional medicine or naturopathic doctor in your area to help you figure out which tests you need and how to best support you toward optimal health.