Genetics is estimated to account for only about 10% to at most 20% of variation in epigenetic aging rates.
"So I think they estimate like 10, maybe at the uppermost 20 percent impact your genes have on your epigenetic aging rate." (said at 0:20:38)
Twin and pedigree-based quantitative genetic studies consistently show that the heritability of epigenetic aging and epigenetic age acceleration (the discrepancy between chronological age and DNA methylation age) is substantially higher than 10% to 20%. Pedigree analyses estimate the heritability of epigenetic age acceleration (Δage) at approximately 43% (e.g., Marioni et al., 2015), and twin studies across multiple clocks (such as Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and GrimAge) typically report heritability estimates ranging from roughly 35% to 60% in young and older adults, though heritability can decline in later decades of life. The speaker's claim that genetics accounts for only 10% to at most 20% of variation in epigenetic aging rates substantially underestimates the established genetic contribution.
- contradicts: DNA methylation age of blood predicts all-cause mortality in later life. (Genome biology 2015)
"A pedigree-based heritability analysis of Δage was conducted in a separate cohort. The heritability of Δage was 0.43." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi) - contradicts: Leisure-Time and Occupational Physical Activity Associates Differently with Epigenetic Agi… (Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2021)
"Epigenetic age Acc was highly heritable in young adult and older twin pairs (~60%)." (abstract, results, passage verified)
pubmedfull study (doi)