Scientists Develop 10-Biomarker Blood Test to Assess Health and Predict Aging

The score is based on 10 biomarkers and could help identify people who would particularly benefit from lifestyle changes and physical activity to maintain their health into old age.

The development was presented by Joris Deelen of Leiden University Medical Center in the Netherlands at the FAPESP Week Netherlands scientific event. The researchers analyzed data from approximately 44,000 volunteers who participated in 12 European studies. They measured more than 200 substances in the participants' blood, including markers of fat and sugar metabolism, as well as indicators of inflammation. During the follow-up period, approximately 5,500 participants died.

Based on these data, the team identified biochemical markers associated with an increased risk of death and then simplified the scoring system for clinical use. Instead of hundreds of parameters, the new version uses 10 blood markers that doctors already routinely measure. A higher overall score now indicates better health.

According to Deelen, a one-point increase in the score corresponds, on average, to a 14-year delay in the onset of the first cardiometabolic disease, such as diabetes, a heart attack or a stroke. The score is also associated with cognitive function, lung capacity and handgrip strength, which reflects muscle health.

The researchers investigated whether exercise and lifestyle changes could improve the score. The most noticeable effects were observed among participants whose initial scores were below average. They showed reductions in fasting insulin and triglyceride levels, as well as improvements in body composition. However, the overall score for the entire group did not change significantly.

According to the scientists, approximately 40% of the metabolic score is determined by genetics, while the remaining 60% is influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors. Among the habits examined, smoking had the most detrimental effect, while regular physical activity was associated with an improved score.

The effects of inadequate nutrition during childhood could also have implications for metabolic health in adulthood.