--- title: "DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan" description: "A new DNA methylation-based biomarker, DNAm GrimAge, accurately predicts lifespan and various age-related health conditions." url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.md" canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html" html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html" type: "study" study_key: "x10" journal: "Aging" year: 2019 pmid: "30669119" doi: "10.18632/aging.101684" citations: 1 updated: 2026-09-02 author: "Gabriel Radu, DO" author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765." publisher: "Magellan Longevity" content_format: "markdown" --- # DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan [Home](https://magellanlongevity.com/) › [Research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) › DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and… **HTML version:** https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html · **In the Magellan app:** https://magellanlongevity.com/#/study/x10 ## Citation | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Journal | Aging | | Year | 2019 | | PMID | [30669119](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30669119/) | | DOI | [10.18632/aging.101684](https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101684) | | Study key | x10 | ## Takeaway A new DNA methylation-based biomarker, DNAm GrimAge, accurately predicts lifespan and various age-related health conditions. ## The question Can plasma protein levels be estimated using DNA methylation (DNAm) levels, and can these estimates be combined into a robust predictor of lifespan? ## Hypothesis The study implicitly hypothesizes that DNAm levels can be used to estimate plasma protein levels, and that these estimates, along with other DNAm-based factors, can form a powerful predictor of lifespan and healthspan. ## Methods The researchers developed seven DNAm-based estimators for plasma proteins, including plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and growth differentiation factor 15. These estimators, along with a DNAm-based estimator of smoking pack-years, were consolidated into a composite biomarker called DNAm GrimAge. They also created AgeAccelGrim by adjusting DNAm GrimAge for chronological age. The predictive ability of DNAm GrimAge and AgeAccelGrim was validated using large-scale data from thousands of individuals. ## Results DNAm GrimAge strongly predicted time-to-death (P=2.0E-75), time-to-coronary heart disease (P=6.2E-24), and time-to-cancer (P=1.3E-12). It also showed a strong relationship with fatty liver/excess visceral fat from CT data and age-at-menopause (P=1.6E-12). AgeAccelGrim was significantly associated with comorbidity count (P=3.45E-17). Age-adjusted DNAm PAI-1 levels were associated with lifespan (P=5.4E-28), comorbidity count (P=7.3E-56), and type 2 diabetes (P=2.0E-26). These biomarkers also showed expected relationships with healthy diet and educational attainment. ## Conclusion DNAm GrimAge and its components are powerful epigenetic biomarkers that strongly predict lifespan and healthspan, outperforming existing epigenetic clocks. These biomarkers are expected to have applications in human anti-aging research. ## Limitations The abstract does not explicitly state any limitations of the study. ## Verbatim from the abstract > GrimAge stands out among epigenetic clocks for predicting time-to-death ## Where this study is used on Magellan This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions. | Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages | | --- | --- | --- | | Epigenetic Age (DNA-Methylation Clock) Testing | — | — | | Comprehensive Blood-Biomarker Testing | — | — | ## Reference 1. **DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan** Aging 2019 · [PMID 30669119](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30669119/) · [DOI 10.18632/aging.101684](https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101684) > GrimAge stands out among epigenetic clocks for predicting time-to-death ## Structured data ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"MedicalWebPage","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html#page","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html","name":"DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan","description":"A new DNA methylation-based biomarker, DNAm GrimAge, accurately predicts lifespan and various age-related health conditions.","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":{"@type":"WebSite","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Gabriel Radu, DO","jobTitle":"Physiatrist (PM&R)","identifier":[{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NPI","value":"1376861765"},{"@type":"PropertyValue","name":"NY medical license","value":"275110"}]},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Magellan Longevity","url":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},"encoding":{"@type":"MediaObject","encodingFormat":"text/markdown","contentUrl":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.md"},"dateModified":"2026-09-02"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Research map","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and…","item":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html"}]},{"@type":"ScholarlyArticle","@id":"https://magellanlongevity.com/study/x10.html#study","name":"DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan","headline":"DNA methylation GrimAge strongly predicts lifespan and healthspan","datePublished":"2019","isPartOf":{"@type":"Periodical","name":"Aging"},"identifier":"PMID:30669119","url":"https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30669119/","sameAs":"https://doi.org/10.18632/aging.101684","abstract":"A new DNA methylation-based biomarker, DNAm GrimAge, accurately predicts lifespan and various age-related health conditions."}]} ``` ## Related on Magellan Longevity - [An epigenetic biomarker of aging for lifespan and healthspan](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/epigenetic_clock.md) - [Telomere Length and All-Cause Mortality: A Meta-analysis](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/telomere_mortality.md) - [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html) - [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md) ## Scope and disclosures Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication. Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases. Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).