Urine-based aging clock could estimate biological age, study finds

A urine test could reveal a person’s biological age and how long they may live relative to peers, according to a new study from Japan. Researchers developed an epigenetic urine aging clock that uses microRNAs in urine to estimate biological age rather than calendar age. The study tracked about 6,300 adults undergoing cancer screenings who provided urine samples and answered questions about daily habits such as smoking and alcohol use. The team sequenced tiny molecules of genetic material and applied algorithms to score participants, building separate models for men and women to boost precision. They reported the clock could predict biological age within about 4.4 years on average.

The clock relies on specific microRNAs, including miR-155-5p and miR-34a-5p, which have been linked in prior research to cancer cell growth when overexpressed. In the npj Aging journal, the researchers from Craif, a biotechnology startup in Nagoya, said the urine-based clock could accurately predict biological age and, by extension, disease risk, and it outperformed blood-based miRNA and mRNA clocks. They described the test as a promising, non-invasive biomarker of aging, though they noted it was not as precise as the best DNA methylation clocks that use patterns in DNA.

The broader implication is that non-invasive urine tests could offer a practical means of assessing aging trajectories and related health risks, complementing existing blood- and DNA-based approaches. The researchers emphasized that the work represents a step toward accessible aging insights, rather than a definitive diagnostic tool.

Interest in biological-age testing has grown in recent years, with many clinics offering assessments that can cost upwards of £200 per test. The allure lies in personalized aging insights, though experts warn that results should be interpreted cautiously and within broader health contexts.

Beyond the laboratory findings, the study touches on longer-term questions about lifespan trends. Some research has suggested life expectancy could rise globally by almost five years by 2050, although regional variations remain and lifestyle factors continue to influence longevity. Proponents of longevity science point to factors observed in high-life-expectancy regions—such as regular physical activity, social connectedness, and purposeful living—as important components that may interact with biomarkers of aging.

Overall, the urine aging clock offers a non-invasive glimpse into biological aging and risk profiles, illustrating the accelerating interest in biomarkers that move beyond chronological age. Further validation in diverse populations will be needed to determine how such a test could fit into routine health assessments.