Red Mountain, The Adventure Spa
Researchers at Tufts University as well as other respected researchers have identified specific biomarkers in determining accelerated aging. The Actual Age program has been designed to measure key biomarkers in order to determine an individual's actual age or biological age. The biomarkers measured are body fat, strength, systolic blood pressure, waist-hip ratio and lean body mass. Five additional biomarkers have been identified but that are not part of the Actual Age assessment. Bone density is one of them.

Anti-aging is a goal for many in the baby boomer generation. Individuals are constantly looking for education and information on healthy aging. The Actual Age assessment is based on key biomarkers of aging and has the ability to measure those key indicators.

Muscle is the number one biomarker of aging and should be the largest component of your body composition. It's responsible for vitality and health to a much greater extent than most people realize. It can be increased and strengthened though out life, and much of the loss of muscle as we age is preventable and even reversible.

Strength is the number two biomarker of aging and is an indication of the maximum amount of force that your muscles can generate. As we age, muscle cells get smaller and the muscle can't contract with as much force. A muscle that is used frequently and pushed to the limits of its capacity will grow and gain strength, even in the elderly.

Body Fat-The quantity of fat cells, once formed, remain with you throughout your natural life. Lifestyle changes can reduce or burn excessive fat which means the fat cells become smaller. The control you have with lifestyle changes and exercise is on the size of the fat cell, not on the quantity. You should be concerned with your percentage of body fat, rather than your total body weight.

Body Shape-Body Fat distribution may be as important a factor in disease prediction as the percentage of total body fat. In other words, it's vital to know where fat is stored on your body. Fat distribution is an independent risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. This means even if you are not overweight, but most of your fat is stored around your waist, you have a greater risk for one of these diseases.

Heart-Systolic blood pressure, as the heart contracts and pumps the blood out, often becomes elevated with age. High systolic blood pressure is associated with an increase hardening of the arterial blood vessels, the heart pumping excess blood, the kidneys excreting too much blood, or a high level of hormones capable of increasing blood pressure. Diastolic blood pressure, as the heart dilates and fills with blood, does not usually change over time and generally remains within normal limits throughout the life
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