Eight biomarkers enable the observation of metabolic, hormonal, inflammatory, and cardiovascular processes within a comprehensive assessment.
A blood analysis can provide information that goes beyond merely signaling whether a value is within or outside the reference range. Interpreted together with the clinical history, habits and the individual evolution, some biomarkers allow us to observe how different bodily processes are functioning.
That holistic reading is part of longevity medicine, an approach that does not seek to stop time, but to accompany the aging process while preserving health, autonomy and quality of life.
What Longevity Medicine Aims to Achieve
Dr. Natalia Ayala Vázquez is a neurosurgeon, a specialist in regenerative medicine, with postgraduate training in longevity, pain medicine and interventional techniques, and she teaches at Austral University.
According to the specialist, longevity medicine proposes broadening the traditional perspective: in addition to diagnosing and treating diseases, it seeks to understand how the body works before symptoms appear.
One of her central concepts is healthspan, which refers to the years lived in good health, autonomy and functionality. It is not simply about living longer, but about how we reach each stage of life.
Ayala Vázquez notes that two people of the same age can exhibit different metabolic, cardiovascular and functional conditions. Habits, medical history, genetics and environment form part of that unique biological terrain.
What Biomarkers Can Reveal
Biomarkers are measurable indicators that provide information about different bodily processes. Through blood analyses and other evaluations, aspects related to inflammation, metabolism, hormonal regulation and cardiovascular risk can be studied.
For Ayala Vázquez, the goal should not be limited to finding results outside reference ranges. The information gains value when analyzing how the indicators relate to one another and when integrating them with the clinical history, habits, body composition and the progression of each person.
An isolated result does not define health status nor should it be used for self-diagnosis. The selection of studies and their interpretation require individualized medical judgment.
The 8 Biomarkers Used in Longevity Medicine
Although each assessment responds to different needs, Ayala Vázquez highlights eight indicators that can provide relevant information within a preventive approach.
1. Ferritin
It is a protein that stores iron, a mineral essential for transporting oxygen and supporting various cellular functions. Low levels can indicate deficiency even before anemia develops, while high levels may relate to inflammation, liver alterations or iron overload.
2. DHEA-S
Dehydroepiandrosterone is a hormone produced mainly by the adrenal glands and acts as a precursor to other sex hormones. Its levels tend to decline with age. Measuring it can provide information about endocrine function, though it does not by itself represent a longevity marker nor justify hormonal treatments.
3. Homocysteine
It is an amino acid whose metabolism depends, among other factors, on vitamins B6, B12 and folate. Elevated levels may be associated with higher cardiovascular risk and can signal certain nutritional, metabolic or renal alterations. Its usefulness depends on the clinical context.
4. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
High-sensitivity CRP allows the detection of small concentrations of a marker of systemic inflammation. Its measurement can complement cardiovascular risk assessment, though it does not on its own identify what is causing the inflammation.
5. HOMA-IR Index
Calculated from fasting glucose and insulin levels, it estimates insulin resistance, an metabolic disturbance that can appear before the development of type 2 diabetes. It is not a universal diagnostic test and should be interpreted within a broader evaluation.
6. Glycated hemoglobin
Also known as HbA1c, it reflects roughly the average blood glucose over the past two to three months. It is used to detect and monitor glycemic changes, such as prediabetes and diabetes, taking into account clinical conditions that may alter its interpretation.
7. Triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio
The TG/HDL ratio provides additional information about the lipid profile. When elevated, it can be associated with insulin resistance and other cardiometabolic disorders. It does not replace other indicators used to assess risk.
8. Apolipoprotein B
ApoB allows estimating the amount of atherogenic lipoprotein particles in the blood, which can contribute to the formation of arterial plaques. In certain individuals, it provides additional information to LDL cholesterol measurement and broadens cardiovascular assessment.
These eight indicators represent only part of the data that can be considered. Which ones to measure depends on each person’s history and needs.
Chronological Age and Biological Age: What is PhenoAge
Chronological age expresses the years elapsed since birth. The so-called biological age, on the other hand, attempts to describe different aspects of the organism’s physiological state, which do not necessarily evolve in the same way for everyone.
Among the models developed to explore that difference is PhenoAge or phenotypic age. The algorithm combines nine blood biomarkers with chronological age and yields a statistical estimate associated with certain aging patterns and mortality risk.
A 50-year-old person, for example, could have an estimated PhenoAge of 45 or 55. This does not mean that their body literally has that age nor does it allow predicting how long they will live. Ayala Vázquez emphasizes that this is a tool to interpret the biological profile, not an individual diagnosis or a replacement for medical evaluation.
How Longevity Centers Work
This perspective has already begun to be applied in specialized centers, where care can integrate medical consultation, diagnostic studies, biomarker analyses and habit tracking.
Some also incorporate digital tools to gather information about nutrition, physical activity, sleep and other modifiable factors, and relate it to the evolution of certain biological indicators.
According to the specialist, the difference is not merely in requesting a larger number of studies, but in connecting them and turning them into clinical decisions. From that integrated perspective, priorities can be set and personalized strategies regarding habits, nutrition, movement and rest can be guided.
The goal is not to chase ideal values in isolation, but to understand the biological context of each person and accompany their evolution with professional judgment.
The Real Objective: Living More Years with Health
Longevity medicine does not promise to slow down aging. Its proposal is to expand the chances to preserve health, autonomy and functioning as the years go by.
Knowing certain biomarkers, reviewing habits and maintaining appropriate follow-up can help identify risk factors and make more informed decisions. For Ayala Vázquez, the challenge is not only about having more technology, but about better interpreting the available information and using it when there is a concrete opportunity to safeguard health.
Source: Dr. Natalia Ayala Vázquez (Co-founder & CEO)
Neurosurgeon, Regenerative Medicine Specialist. Postgraduate studies in longevity, pain medicine and interventionalism. Lecturer at Austral University.
