Exploring the Future of Longevity with Mr Tunc Tiryaki and the Breakthrough DNAm IC Test
We’ve long measured our lives in years, but what if there was a way to measure how well we’ll live those years? In a recent interview with Medical News Today, internationally renowned plastic surgeon and regenerative medicine expert Mr Tunc Tiryaki explored this very question, discussing a new wave of biological ageing tests that could transform the way we think about longevity.
At the forefront of this field is a remarkable tool: the DNAm Intrinsic Capacity (IC) clock. Unlike traditional epigenetic ageing clocks that calculate your chronological age based on molecular data, this innovative test measures something far more valuable, your functional age, or how well your body and mind are truly operating.
What is the DNAm IC Test?
The DNAm IC test is a blood- or saliva-based test that analyses your epigenetic markers-molecular tags on your DNA that influence how your genes are expressed. These markers shift with age and environmental exposure, giving scientists a unique insight into your biological age.
What sets DNAm IC apart is its ability to predict intrinsic capacity (IC): a term defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) to represent the combination of mental and physical functions that underpin healthy ageing. This includes cognitive ability, mobility, vitality, psychological wellbeing and sensory function.
In essence, this test tells you not just how old you are on paper, but how well your body is equipped to thrive. And that makes it a powerful tool for anyone interested in not just living longer, but living better.
Why Functional Age Matters More Than Chronological Age
According to Mr Tiryaki, the real strength of the DNAm IC test lies in its holistic, human-centred approach. While other ageing clocks focus on chronological prediction or disease risk, the IC test targets the quality of the ageing process, a person’s resilience, independence and vitality.
Perhaps most compellingly, the DNAm IC test was shown to predict mortality more accurately than other ageing clocks. A difference of 5.5 years in life expectancy was observed between individuals with higher versus lower intrinsic capacity scores. This finding emphasises that IC isn’t just an academic concept—it directly influences survival.
The biological processes underpinning intrinsic capacity—inflammation, mitochondrial function, DNA repair and immune ageing—are the same drivers implicated in age-related diseases, meaning that preserving IC may be the best defence against the conditions we fear most: Alzheimer’s, frailty, cardiovascular disease and more.
The Role of Diet in Functional Ageing
One of the most empowering insights from this research is that lifestyle choices can influence DNAm IC—and by extension, the way we age.
Take omega-3 fatty acids, for example. Found in oily fish such as salmon and sardines, omega-3s have long been praised for their brain and heart benefits. Now, their anti-inflammatory and mitochondrial-supportive properties are believed to help maintain vitality and cognitive function, which are core pillars of intrinsic capacity. They even regulate gene expression involved in immune function and cellular senescence, slowing the ageing clock at a molecular level.
Excessive sugar consumption has the opposite effect. Sugar accelerates oxidative stress, insulin resistance, glycation, and chronic inflammation, all of which degrade intrinsic capacity. Staying within recommended sugar intake guidelines can therefore support metabolic flexibility and immune regulation, helping to preserve your energy, memory and mobility as you age.
The Multidimensional Path to Healthy Ageing
Mr Tiryaki advocates for a multi-domain lifestyle strategy to maintain and improve intrinsic capacity. While diet plays a crucial role, it is just one piece of the puzzle. Other key interventions include:
- Physical Activity: Exercise boosts mitochondrial health, supports mobility and enhances immune function, critical for sustaining both vitality and psychological resilience.
- Cognitive Stimulation and Social Engagement: Activities that challenge the brain and promote human connection help preserve psychological and cognitive health.
- Stress Management: Chronic stress alters epigenetic patterns. Meditation, mindfulness, and quality sleep are essential for recalibrating your ageing clock.
- Medical Optimisation: Addressing frailty early, managing chronic conditions and using tools such as sensory aids all contribute to a healthier, longer life.
Together, these practices align with WHO’s vision of healthy ageing: not merely the absence of disease, but the preservation of function, dignity and wellbeing.
Precision Longevity: Where Molecular Biology Meets Real Life
The DNAm IC test is more than a scientific breakthrough, it represents a paradigm shift in how we approach longevity.
Rather than waiting for diseases to appear, this test allows clinicians to proactively assess functional health, intervene early and tailor lifestyle or therapeutic strategies to the individual's biological needs.
In the future, it could help guide everything from supplement regimes and personalised nutrition plans to targeted anti-ageing therapies and surgical interventions, offering a roadmap for living longer and living well.
As Mr Tiryaki explains, this is not about chasing youth for vanity’s sake—it’s about preserving independence, vitality and identity. It’s about being able to do the things you love, with the people you love, for as long as possible.
A New Era for Longevity Medicine
While further validation is needed, especially in older adults with already diminished intrinsic capacity—the DNAm IC test is a milestone in functional ageing science. It brings together cutting-edge molecular research with real-world outcomes like cognition, movement and lifespan.
And importantly, it shifts the longevity conversation from "how long will I live?" to "how well will I live?" That question, according to Mr Tiryaki, is the one that truly matters.
The Future is Personalised
With the rise of precision longevity medicine, tools like the DNAm IC test could become routine components of mid-life health assessments. By detecting declines in functional capacity early, individuals can be empowered to take meaningful steps—guided by data, not guesswork.
As science evolves, so too will our ability to personalise ageing interventions. Whether through nutritional tweaks, regenerative treatments, surgical techniques or lifestyle overhauls, the future of healthy ageing lies in understanding each individual’s unique biology and responding accordingly.
We may not be able to stop the passage of time, but with advances like the DNAm IC test, we can reshape how we age—with purpose, health and agency. A simple blood test may not hold all the answers, but it could very well be the first step towards a longer, fuller and more vibrant life.
For further information on longevity testing at the London Regenerative Institute click below.
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