Measuring inflammaging: Advanced diagnostics to guide your longevity journey
By David Watumull, Co-founder and Chairman, Lokahi Longevity
Knowing your inflammaging profile is like having a precise roadmap for health. It guides dietary recommendations, targeted supplementation, specific exercise regimens, and selective pharmacological interventions—each scientifically validated to reduce inflammation and support healthier aging.
In my last post, I described how chronic, low-grade inflammation—what we call inflammaging—plays a major role in common age-related diseases, from cardiovascular problems to cognitive decline. Today, I’d like to focus on how we identify and measure inflammaging, a crucial step toward taking meaningful action to support your healthspan.
At Lokahi Longevity, precise diagnostics form the foundation of our approach. Here’s how we leverage advanced tests to uncover your personal inflammaging profile and guide targeted, personalized interventions.
Why diagnostics matter
To effectively manage inflammaging, we first need a clear picture of how it presents in your body. Not everyone experiences inflammation in the same way or at the same intensity. Advanced diagnostic testing gives us detailed insights, allowing us to pinpoint exactly where inflammation might be quietly shaping your health trajectory.
Key biomarkers of inflammaging
One of the main ways we measure inflammaging is through a panel of specific blood biomarkers. Unlike standard blood tests you might get at an annual checkup, these specialized tests reveal subtle yet critical signs of chronic inflammation:
Oxidized LDL (OxLDL): This marker measures the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, directly linked to arterial inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP): An established indicator of systemic inflammation and a predictor of cardiovascular events.
Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α): Cytokines involved in inflammatory responses, linked closely to various age-related diseases.
Lipoprotein particle analysis: Evaluates the detailed breakdown of cholesterol subtypes, offering deeper insights into cardiovascular risks and inflammatory pathways.
Collectively, these markers offer an accurate picture of your inflammatory status, enabling targeted interventions to precisely address your unique health profile.
Genetic insights: FOXO3 and beyond
Genetic factors also influence how we age and how inflammation affects us individually. At Lokahi Longevity, we specifically evaluate your FOXO3 gene status—this gene has been extensively studied in Hawaii and globally for its powerful association with longevity and inflammation management.
People with the most active variants of FOXO3 typically enjoy better inflammatory regulation, significantly increasing their chances of living healthily to 100. Understanding your FOXO3 genetic status helps us tailor interventions that leverage this natural longevity advantage, or actively compensate if you’re not genetically predisposed to optimal FOXO3 function.
Advanced imaging: Uncovering silent risks
Beyond blood biomarkers and genetics, Lokahi’s diagnostic suite includes advanced imaging technologies such as whole-body MRI and coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). These state-of-the-art techniques detect early-stage inflammation and disease markers well before symptoms appear.
Whole-body imaging can identify early signs of silent cancers or cardiovascular aneurysms, while CCTA helps detect vulnerable arterial plaques—those most likely to rupture and cause heart attacks or strokes. Identifying these risks early allows for prompt, proactive interventions.
Cutting-edge cancer detection
We also include advanced cancer detection via the Galleri blood test, capable of identifying over 50 types of cancer from a simple blood draw. Chronic inflammation increases cancer risks, making early detection vital. This diagnostic tool enables us to spot cancers at stages when they’re most treatable, reinforcing the critical role diagnostics play in longevity medicine.
Bringing it all together
The power of Lokahi’s approach lies in our ability to integrate these advanced diagnostic tools into a comprehensive, personalized inflammaging profile. Each piece of data informs your custom longevity plan, pinpointing exactly where interventions are most needed and where they’ll deliver the greatest benefit.
Knowing your inflammaging profile is like having a precise roadmap for health. It guides dietary recommendations, targeted supplementation, specific exercise regimens, and selective pharmacological interventions—each scientifically validated to reduce inflammation and support healthier aging.
Your next step: Personal action
At Lokahi, our mission is to turn cutting-edge science into meaningful results for your healthspan and lifespan. Diagnostics represent the essential starting point—transforming the science of inflammaging into personal, actionable insight.
In the next post, I’ll discuss the latest research on interventions known to safely and effectively address inflammaging, particularly astaxanthin, an extraordinary compound validated through rigorous NIH research.
Stay tuned, and remember: how we age is not set in stone. With precise diagnostics and informed action, we have the power to shape our longevity in profound ways.
