Epigenetic Health Report (Muhdo)
Epigenetic analysis based on DNA methylation profiling, assessing biological age, organ function age, and inflammatory status.
Table of contents
Basic data
The Comprehensive Epigenetic Health Report (Muhdo) analyzes DNA methylation patterns to evaluate how lifestyle and environmental factors influence gene expression and biological aging. Unlike purely genetic tests, this report reflects how external factors — diet, sleep, exercise, and stress — have shaped the current functional state of your genome.
The test estimates overall biological age, the biological age of selected organ systems (vision, hearing, memory), and evaluates inflammatory and anti-inflammatory gene activity patterns. These metrics provide a snapshot of cellular health and recovery potential.
Although informative, epigenetic age tests should be interpreted cautiously. Results may vary due to sample quality and current physiological conditions (e.g., recent illness, stress, or inflammation), and they provide a momentary reflection rather than a long-term baseline.
Category: Epigenetics
Level: Advanced
Usefulness: Low
Level
Advanced
Usefulness
Low
Snapshot of current methylation status
Provides a one-time assessment of how lifestyle and environment have influenced your gene expression profile.
Useful for trend monitoring
When repeated over time, may show whether interventions (diet, exercise, stress management) slow or reverse biological aging patterns.
Limited actionability
Interpretation of methylation results is still evolving; most recommendations remain general rather than individualized.
How it works
Sample collection
A cheek swab or saliva sample is collected and sent to the Muhdo lab for epigenetic analysis.
Methylation profiling
DNA is processed using bisulfite sequencing technology to determine methylation intensity at loci associated with biological aging and inflammation.
Biological age modeling
The algorithm compares methylation data with reference datasets to estimate biological and organ-specific ages.
Measures
Biological age
Overall biological age compared with chronological age, reflecting cumulative lifestyle and environmental impact.
Organ-specific ages
Estimated biological age of sensory systems (vision, hearing) and cognitive function (memory), serving as proxies for system-level vitality.
Inflammatory balance
Assessment of pro-inflammatory vs. anti-inflammatory methylation patterns — indicating overall immune activation and tissue stress.
Anti-inflammatory gene activity
Evaluates methylation profiles of genes related to oxidative stress, inflammation, and immune regulation.
Reliability
Biological variability
Methylation states fluctuate with stress, sleep, diet, and acute inflammation, so a single result provides only a snapshot, not a stable baseline.
Technical precision
Laboratory reproducibility is generally high, but differences in preprocessing or normalization can influence results slightly.
Limitations
Not a medical diagnosis
The results describe gene regulation patterns, not diseases or clinical conditions.
Context-dependent interpretation
Methylation patterns can reflect recent stress, infections, or sleep deprivation rather than chronic biological aging.
No intervention specificity
The test cannot pinpoint which exact lifestyle factors caused the observed methylation profile.
Frequency
Suggested cadence
Every 6–12 months if used for monitoring the effect of lifestyle interventions on biological aging.
Cost
Typical costs
Approximately €200–400, depending on provider and whether multi-organ epigenetic analysis is included.
Availability
Where available
Offered by Muhdo and selected longevity clinics; usually requires direct-to-consumer DNA collection.
Preparation
How to prepare
Avoid eating, drinking, or brushing teeth for 30 minutes before sample collection; maintain stable sleep and stress conditions for several days prior to testing.
Interpretation
Green – optimal methylation
Indicates that biological and organ-specific ages are within the optimal range.
Yellow – moderate acceleration
Suggests mild deviation; possible effects of stress, poor sleep, or diet.
Red – accelerated aging or inflammation
Reflects increased pro-inflammatory gene activity or elevated biological age relative to chronological age.
Alternatives
TruDiagnostic TruAge
More comprehensive epigenetic analysis using advanced aging algorithms and DNA methylation clocks.
GlycanAge
Measures biological aging based on IgG glycan profiles, providing complementary insight into inflammation and immune system aging.
FAQ
Is the epigenetic test the same as a genetic test?
No. Genetic tests analyze fixed DNA sequences, while epigenetic tests evaluate how lifestyle and environment affect gene activity through methylation.
Can lifestyle changes alter methylation patterns?
Yes. Exercise, diet, stress management, and sleep quality can positively influence methylation and potentially slow biological aging.
How reliable is my biological age score?
Reliable within laboratory precision, but variable across time due to transient physiological and environmental factors.