The Quick Guide
The Quick Guide
We’ve got a lot going here at The Balance and it can be a lot to take in. That’s why we created this easy-to-navigate guide to help you find the answers you need, fast.
Our goal is to make everything we share feel clear, supportive, and approachable. So when you come across a word or concept that feels unfamiliar, we’ve got definitions and quick links so you can jump back in without missing a beat.
*click for links to external resources*
A
adaptogens
Compounds, either plant or synthetic, that help the body resist stress and normalize body functions.*
adipose tissue
A.k.a. body fat. White adipose tissue stores energy, brown burns energy for heat. Healthy levels of subcutaneous fat (under the skin) is essential. Too much visceral fat (around your organs) can increase your risk of metabolic disease.*
age gap
Difference between your biological and chronological age.*
aging
“Time related dysfunction.” The breakdown of a living organism (like a human) over time.*
amino acid
Fundamental molecules required for building proteins and other compounds. There are 20 unique amino acids.*
AMPK
AMP-activated protein kinase is an enzyme that helps save and create cellular energy.*
antinutrient
Compounds that prevent the body from properly absorbing nutrients.*
autophagy
Cells breakdown and recycle their parts to help maintain cell health in a “self-eating” process.*
B
biological age
Uses models to estimate how old your body is based on biomarkers, rather than calendar (chronological) age. Reflects how well your body is aging due to environmental and genetic factors.*
biological clocks
Regulates sense of time and controls your circadian rhythm.*
biomarkers
Measured indicators of biological processes in your body, that can reflect how well you’re aging.*
blue zones
Five communities around the world, where people consistently live to over 100 years old.*
C
caloric restriction
Lower intake of calories while maintaining proper nutrition. Has been shown to extend lifespan.*
chronological age
Calendar age from birth. A.k.a. how old you are. *
circadian rhythm
The physical, mental, and behavior changes experienced over a 24-hour light/dark cycle. Affects sleep, hormone release, digestion, and temperature. *https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519507/
cold plunging/cold water immersion
Submerging your body in cold (35-50°F), typically for a few minutes. Benefits are still widely debated, but CWI may alter body fat and improve insulin sensitivity. *https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9518606/
compression of morbidity
Minimizing poor health, while maximizing how long you live. Compressing age-related disease to a shorter, later period of life.*
contrast therapy
Alternating between hot and cold temperatures, typically using a sauna (10-20 min) followed by cold water immersion (2-5 min). Positive data has been hard to collect and benefits are still widely debated. *
CRP (C-Reactive Protein)
A biomarker of inflammation, CRP is a protein produced by liver in response to inflammatory signals. *
D
detoxification
A process where the body identifies, neutralizes, and eliminates toxic substances.
DNA methylation clocks
Predictable change in pattern of chemical tags on your DNA that allows scientists to measure your biological age.*
E
enzyme
Protein molecules that speed up chemical reactions in your body, making them more efficient.*https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554481/
endemic
Disease that is constantly present in a certain area or region. I.e. malaria in certain countries in Africa. *https://www.cancer.gov/publications/dictionaries/cancer-terms/def/endemic
epidemic
Widespread disease in a community at a particular time. I.e. Coronavirus.
epigenetics
Changes in gene expression that can be passed through generations. Not changes in your DNA code rather changes in how your DNA is read and interpreted. *https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532999/
F
fisetin
Naturally occurring flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables, known as for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Fisetin is also a senolytic compound that may extend lifespan. *
flavonoids
Large family of plant compounds with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, working on a molecular level to influence inflammation, oxidative stress, and even gene expression through cellular signaling. *
free radicals
Unstable molecules formed from broken bonds in chemical reactions (in your body), that are left with unpaired electrons. These electrons can react with proteins and DNA causing damage. Treat with: antioxidants. **
G
gavage
Feeding by force, typically through a tube.*
geriatric
Branch of medicine that deals with the disease and care of old age.
gerontology
The study of the processes and problems of aging, from an all aspects including biological, sociological, psychological, economic, and even political view. *
glycation
Process where sugars bind to proteins creating toxic advanced glycation end products (AGEs) when the body senses high levels of (glucose or fructose).*
gut brain axis
Cross point of communication between the digestive system with the central nervous system that influences a variety of biological functions. *
H
healthspan
the number of years a person lives in good health, free from significant disease or disability, rather than the total length of their life
heterogenous
homogeneous
hormesis
hormones
I
ice bathing
incubation period
infectious period
inflammaging
insulin
insulin sensitivity
interleukin-6 (IL-6)
intermittent fasting
ischemic heart disease
occurs when the heart muscle doesn't receive enough blood and oxygen due to a buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries
J
K
ketones
L
lifespan
liposomes
longevity
M
mechanism
metablomics
methylene blue
mitochondria
morbidity
mortality
mTOR
myokines
N
NAD+ (Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide)
neuroplasticity
NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)
NR (Nicotinamide Riboside)
O
omega 3s
oxidative stress
P
peptide
protein
Q
quercetin
R
red light therapy
resveratrol
S
salvage pathway
senescence
senolytics
serum
T
telomeres
Telomeres are the protective end caps of your chromosomes made up of repeated DNA. They naturally shorten and become dysfunctional as you age. Longer telomeres = longer lifespan *
trigonelline
U
urolithin A
V
vitamins
essential nutrients your body can’t make on its own (or not enough of), and need to be supplemented from food or supplements. There are 13 essential vitamins, each playing their own unique role in keeping you vibrant and well. See our Vitamin Guide
VO2 max
W
X
Y
yamanaka factors
Four specific genes vital to the aging process
Z
zone training
