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What if your biological age doesn't match the years you've spent on Earth? New direct to consumer tests aim to measure molecular changes in your body that indicate how it's aging. They aren't cheap, usually costing anywhere from $200 to $500. These tests are measured biologic changes, sometimes at the level of the DNA that are correlated with normal aging. The best example, and the most common example is something called epigenetics or, or DNA methylation. Doctor Mark Lacks is the co-chief of the division of geriatrics and palliative medicine at Whale Cornell Medicine and New York Presbyterian. He says these tests typically use blood or saliva samples. You send them in for interpretation and get back *** number. For example, you could be 60, but the test says your biological age is 50. So how accurate are the results? The problem up to now is that they correlate well with chronologic age. The number of birthdays that you've had, right, and not necessarily with biologic age, which is why 290 year olds look very different. One can be playing bridge and the other could be in *** nursing home. Dr. Lack says that while the science is promising, the technology still has room to grow. This is *** situation in which I think. Business development of these tests is *** little bit ahead of the science. I think over the next decade we will reach the holy grail of finding tests or *** combination of tests that are associated with biologic age, how we're feeling, how we're functioning. For now these tests may be most useful as *** motivator to adopt healthier habits. If this is what motivates you. To get in shape. Fabulous. My suspicion is, is that there's *** bias that the people who are going to take these tests are already on average in very good shape. You also shouldn't overinterpret the results. Take them with *** grain of salt. Aging is not *** disease. It's *** part of normal human development. The question is, you know, what to do with that data and how might it affect you psychological. Instead of relying on these tests, Dr. Lacks recommends prioritizing proven methods that can slow the effects of aging like diet, exercise, and staying socially connected. I still think that the things that we learn about in the physician's office and through lifestyle can provide *** much more directed blueprint of how to live your life for maximum longevity. Well, if you choose to take one of these tests, it's best to contact your health care provider for personalized guidance. Bottom line, think of them as inspiration for healthier living, not *** definite medical diagnosis. In Boston, I'm Jessica Brown.