This research aims to provide insights on how seasonal variations influence biological age and enhance the design and analysis of long-term lifestyle interventions targeting biological clocks.
Aging is a gradual decline in cellular and organ functions, significantly increasing the risk of non-communicable and infectious diseases. Recent research has focused on identifying aging biomarkers that can better predict functional capability in healthy individuals. Biological age clocks, which can be measured from samples like blood or saliva, are emerging as valuable tools for assessing the pace of aging and calculating age acceleration-the difference between chronological and biological age.
These clocks utilize molecular and clinical data, including DNA methylation and plasma proteomics, to predict future health outcomes, such as disease risk and mortality. Various DNA methylation-based clocks have been developed, with the Dunedin Pace of Aging (PoAm) offering a more precise modeling of physiological changes over time. Lifestyle factors, including diet and physical activity, can influence age acceleration, suggesting that lifestyle interventions may impact biological aging.
Current evidence indicates that three specific epigenetic clocks-PhenoAge, GrimAge, and Dunedin PACE-are particularly effective in detecting beneficial effects on aging trajectories. However, the stability of these clocks during long-term lifestyle interventions remains unclear, as they can exhibit variability over short periods and may be affected by factors influenced by seasonal changes, such as Vitamin D levels, climate, and white blood cells composition.
To investigate these seasonal effects on biological age, a proposed observational study will track changes over a 12-month period in middle-aged and older adults.
Eligibility
Sex
ALL
Min age
40 Years
Max age
—
Healthy volunteers
Accepted
Inclusion Criteria:
1. Males and females aged over 40 years, inclusive, at enrolment.
2. Assessed by the investigator to be in general good health or have stable, well-controlled chronic medical conditions (e.g. hypertension, type 2 diabetes, etc.) that are not expected to interfere with study participation or outcomes. (Note: stable medical condition is defined as controlled medical condition, with no change in medication, worsening of the condition, or hospitalization in the past 3 months prior to enrolment).
3. Body mass index (BMI) ≥18.5 kg/m².
4. Able to understand and to sign a written informed consent prior to study enrolment.
5. Willing and able to comply with the requirements for participation in this study.
Exclusion Criteria:
1. Any past or on-going significant medical/surgical condition and/or psychiatric condition, which in the opinion of the investigator may risk participant's wellbeing/safety, impede participant compliance with study procedures or ability to complete the study and/or could confound the primary objectives of the study (such as seasonal allergy).
2. Any acute illness or any recent medical/surgical intervention, including vaccination, within 21 days prior to enrolment.
3. Female participants who are pregnant or intending to become pregnant, lactating and/or breastfeeding
4. Currently participating in another interventional research study.
5. Family or direct hierarchical relationship with the research team members.
Primary outcome measure(s)
Effect of seasonality (meaning change between summer and winter observed in western Europe) on biological age calculated through different clocks in adults — From enrollment, 2 times over one year, 1 during summer and one during winter Inter seasons (winter vs summer) variation in the difference between epigenetic age and chronological age, named "acceleration", calculated using the Phenoage, GrimAge and DunedinPace clock.
Trial sites (1)
Facility
City
Region
Status
Clinical Lab
Lausanne
CH
More Société des Produits Nestlé (SPN) trials in Switzerland
This page summarises publicly available registry data for informational purposes — not medical advice. Eligibility is determined by each study team; patients should discuss participation with their clinician.
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