Biological Age Testing

What is biological age?

Biological age is a measure of how old your body is at a cellular level, reflecting how well your cells and organs are functioning compared to your chronological age [1]. Unlike your age in years, biological age takes into account various factors such as your diet, exercise, stress levels and even the health of your gut microbiome, which can all influence the ageing process.

Your gut microbiome, made up of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms, plays a vital role in regulating inflammation, metabolism, immune function, and even mental health, all of which contribute to how quickly or slowly your body ages.

What is microbiome age?

Your microbiome age is an indicator of how well your gut microbiome is functioning compared to your chronological age. It is not the same as biological age, which looks at how your cells and organs are ageing. Instead, microbiome age focuses specifically on the health and balance of the trillions of bacteria and other microbes in your gut.

A younger microbiome age may suggest that your gut is functioning more efficiently, supporting digestion, immunity and overall wellbeing. A higher microbiome age, on the other hand, may point to imbalances, reduced resilience, or a greater risk of age-related health issues.

How can microbiome age affect you?

Your gut microbiome plays a vital role in many aspects of daily life, including:

• Energy levels

• Mental clarity

• Immune function

• Risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cognitive decline

• Longevity

An older microbiome age can reflect poor microbial diversity, increased inflammation or reduced gut function. Over time, these factors may accelerate the ageing process and contribute to disease risk. By supporting a healthier microbiome, it may be possible to lower your microbiome age and promote better long-term health.

What does a microbiome age test tell you?

Unlike biological age tests, which measure biomarkers across the body, microbiome age testing focuses only on the gut. At Vivere, we use advanced Shotgun Metagenomic Sequencing to analyse the composition and functionality of your gut microbiome.

Your results provide:

• Your microbiome age, showing how your gut compares with your chronological age

• Diversity and wellness scores, reflecting overall microbial balance

• Insights into factors that may be contributing to an “older” microbiome

This information helps you understand the state of your gut health and gives you clear steps to support a more youthful, functional microbiome.

How to improve your microbiome age

Your microbiome's biological age is not fixed. With the right plan you may reduce biological age markers or slow the ageing process. With a Vivere test, you’ll get everything you need to take charge of your gut health and reduce microbiome biological age over time. You get:

• Personalised dashboard with your microbiome age, diversity and wellness scores

• Tailored nutrition guidance and food scores to support healthy ageing

• Science-backed supplement recommendations based on your gut profile

• One-to-one nutritionist consultations

• Exclusive expert content on gut health, ageing and biohacking

Take a Vivere test today to uncover your microbiome age.

Nutritionist's Corner: Final Thoughts

Biological age testing offers a deeper understanding of health and ageing, looking beyond the number of years you’ve lived to show how well your body is functioning at the cellular level. Unlike chronological age, biological age reflects the combined influence of your lifestyle, environment, and gut microbiome on your health. By supporting your microbiome and making informed lifestyle choices, you may reduce biological age markers and slow the ageing process, helping you stay healthier for longer.

Vivere’s approach combines advanced microbiome analysis with personalised recommendations, giving you the tools to optimise energy, vitality, and long-term well-being.

Sources

[1] Modeling biological age and its link with the aging process - PNAS Nexus

Author

Yusra Serdaroglu Aydin, MSc RD

Head of Nutrition and Registered Dietitian

Yusra is a registered dietitian with a multidisciplinary background in nutrition, food engineering, and culinary arts. During her education, her curio...

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Peer Reviewed by

Rosie Warwick, BSc (Hons) RD

Dietitian

Rosie is an HCPC-registered clinical dietitian with experience across both paediatric and adult settings. Her current role focuses on specialist weigh...

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