Pace of Aging Explained: The Science Behind DunedinPACE
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Data suggests correlations, not diagnoses. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions based on biomarker data.
Beyond Biological Age: The Rate Question
First-generation epigenetic clocks answered: "How old is my body?" DunedinPACE answers the more important question: "How fast am I aging right now?"
This distinction matters. A 45-year-old with a biological age of 40 might be aging at 1.2 years per year — meaning their advantage is shrinking. Another 45-year-old with a biological age of 43 might be aging at only 0.8 years per year — meaning they're actively gaining ground.
What Is DunedinPACE?
DunedinPACE (Pace of Aging Calculated from the Epigenome) is a third-generation epigenetic clock developed by Daniel Belsky, Avshalom Caspi, and Terrie Moffitt at Duke University, published in eLife (2022).
Key Properties - **Input:** DNA methylation data from 173 CpG sites - **Output:** A single number — years of biological aging per calendar year - **Scale:** 1.0 = normal rate; <1.0 = slower; >1.0 = faster - **Range:** Typically 0.6 to 1.4 in population studies
The 19 Biomarkers
DunedinPACE was trained on longitudinal changes in 19 biomarkers measured at ages 26, 32, 38, and 45 in the Dunedin Study cohort (N=1,037):
Metabolic: BMI, waist-hip ratio, HbA1c, uric acid Cardiovascular: total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, LDL, ApoB, Lp(a), mean arterial pressure Renal: blood urea nitrogen, creatinine Inflammatory: hs-CRP, white blood cell count Pulmonary: forced vital capacity, FEV1/FVC ratio Fitness: VO2max Oral: gingival recession
These biomarkers span multiple organ systems, making DunedinPACE a truly multi-system aging metric.
How DunedinPACE Differs from Earlier Clocks
| Clock | Generation | Measures | Key Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horvath (2013) | 1st | Static biological age | Trained on age, not health |
| GrimAge (2019) | 2nd | Mortality-adjusted age | Still static |
| DunedinPACE (2022) | 3rd | Rate of aging | Requires methylation array |
The PaceSovereign Approach
Most people don't have access to DNA methylation testing. PaceSovereign bridges this gap with a validated proxy method:
1. Proxy PACE — computed from standard blood biomarkers using the Klemera-Doubal Method, enhanced with wearable data (HRV, VO2max, sleep) 2. Gold-standard DunedinPACE — integrated when users obtain epigenetic testing
Both are tracked longitudinally, correlated with interventions, and managed with the same rigor applied to financial assets.
Know your Pace of Aging
Apply for access to PaceSovereign — 120+ biomarkers, one PACE Score.
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