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Longevity

The Hallmarks of Aging: What They Are and How to Treat Them

Aging isn’t just about the number of candles on your birthday cake—it’s a biological process that affects every cell in your body. Scientists have identified a set of core changes known as the hallmarks of aging that drive how quickly or slowly we age. These hallmarks affect everything from energy and brain function to immune health, metabolism, and how well we recover from stress or illness. The exciting news? Many of these processes can be slowed—or even reversed—with the right interventions.

Let’s explore the key hallmarks of aging—and what you can do to reverse them.

1. Genomic Instability

Your DNA is under constant attack from toxins, stress, and inflammation. Over time, this damage leads to mutations, disease, and cellular dysfunction.

Treat it with:

  • DNA repair nutrients: PEA, curcumin, glutathione

  • Reduce toxins: Infrared sauna, binders, organic foods

  • Test: 8-OHdG, toxin panels, heavy metals

2. Telomere Attrition

Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of your DNA. When they shorten, your cells stop dividing.

Treat it with:

  • Supplements: TA-65, fish oil, vitamin D

  • Lifestyle: Meditation, sleep, exercise, antioxidant-rich diet

  • Test: Telomere length

3. Epigenetic Alterations

Your genes don’t change—but how they’re expressed does. Toxins, stress, and lifestyle choices can silence helpful genes and turn on harmful ones.

Treat it with:

  • Epigenetic reprogramming: Fasting, sauna, red light therapy

  • Methylation support: Methylated B vitamins, TMG, creatine, Fatty 15

  • Test: DNA methylation tests

4. Loss of Proteostasis (Protein Damage)

As you age, your body struggles to fold and clear proteins properly—leading to issues like neurodegeneration.

Treat it with:

  • Fasting to stimulate autophagy

  • Supplements: Spermidine, L-serine, amino acids

  • Therapies: Sauna, cold exposure

5. Deregulated Nutrient Sensing

Your body switches between “growth mode” and “repair mode.” Aging comes when these signals become imbalanced.

Treat it by cycling:

  • mTOR (growth): Resistance training, protein intake

  • AMPK (repair): Fasting, berberine, curcumin

  • Sirtuins: NAD⁺, polyphenols, caloric restriction

  • Test: Insulin, leptin, adiponectin, glucose

6. Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Mitochondria are your cell’s energy factories. When they break down, so does your energy, metabolism, and brain function.

Treat it with:

  • IV NAD⁺ therapy

  • Mitochondrial nutrients: CoQ10, PQQ, ALA, carnitine, urolithin A, Fatty 15

  • Peptides: MOTS-c, 5-Amino-1MQ

  • Therapies: Red light, PEMF, fasting, cold plunge

  • Test: VO2 max, organic acids, mitochondrial markers

7. Cellular Senescence (Zombie Cells)

Old, dysfunctional cells that refuse to die release harmful inflammatory signals (SASP) and damage surrounding tissue.

Treat it with:

  • Senolytics: Fisetin, quercetin, spermidine, fatty 15

  • Autophagy inducers: Rapamycin (Rx), fasting

  • Peptides: BPC-157

8. Stem Cell Exhaustion

With age, your stem cells lose their regenerative power. Healing slows, and tissues break down.

Treat it with:

  • NAD⁺ support to preserve stem cell activity

  • Exosome or PRP therapies

  • Test: IGF-1, metabolic recovery markers

9. Altered Intercellular Communication

Your cells rely on clean, timely signals. In aging, this signaling becomes chaotic—leading to immune dysfunction, brain fog, and chronic inflammation.

Treat it with:

  • Immune support: Thymosin Alpha-1, melatonin, sulforaphane, Fatty 15

  • Gut health: Fix leaky gut, reduce LPS, balance microbiome

  • Mind-body reset: Sleep optimization, HRV training, vagus nerve stimulation

Bonus: Inflammaging / Metaflammation

Low-grade, chronic inflammation—driven by belly fat, poor sleep, toxins, and sugar—is a core driver of aging.

Treat it with:

  • Anti-inflammatory nutrition: Olive oil, leafy greens, avocados

  • Lifestyle: Cold therapy, meditation, exercise

  • Supplements: Curcumin, PEA, BPC-157, sulforaphane

  • Test: hs-CRP, IL-6, Lp-PLA2, Galectin-3

The Bottom Line

Aging is not just a number—it’s a pattern of cellular dysfunction. The good news? Each of these hallmarks can be measured, tracked, and treated.

At Transform Wellness Clinic, we offer advanced testing, personalized protocols, and longevity-focused therapies like:

  • IV NAD⁺ and nutrient infusions

  • Peptide therapy

  • Functional medicine testing

  • Metabolic Code triad analysis

📞 Curious about your biological age and how to slow it down?
Book a consultation and begin your journey to living younger, longer.