Increasing life expectancy but also healthspan seems inaccessible as of yet but it may become a reality in the foreseeable future. To extend lifespan, it is essential to unveil molecular mechanisms involved in ageing. As for healthspan, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in age-related pathologies is crucial. We focus on the epigenetic side of ageing as ageing is traced by specific epigenetic patterns and can be measured by epigenetic clocks. We discuss to what extent exposure to environmental factor, such as alcohol use, unhealthy diet, tobacco and stress, promotes age-related conditions. We focused on inflammation, cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, we discuss strategies to reverse time based on epigenetic reprogramming. Reversibility of the epigenetic marks makes them promising targets for rejuvenation. For this purpose, a better understanding of the epigenetic mechanisms underlying ageing is essential. Epigenetic clocks were successfully designed to monitor these mechanisms and the influence of environmental factors. Further studies on age-related diseases should be conducted to determine their epigenetic signature, but also to pinpoint the defect in the epigenetic machinery and thereby identify potential therapeutic targets. As for rejuvenation, epigenetic reprogramming is still at an early stage.

中文翻译：

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沿着表观遗传时间线徘徊。

增加预期寿命和健康寿命目前看来还遥不可及，但在可预见的未来可能会成为现实。为了延长寿命，有必要揭示衰老相关的分子机制。至于健康寿命，更好地了解与年龄相关的病理机制至关重要。我们关注衰老的表观遗传方面，因为衰老是通过特定的表观遗传模式来追踪的，并且可以通过表观遗传时钟来测量。我们讨论了暴露于环境因素（例如饮酒、不健康饮食、烟草和压力）在多大程度上会促进与年龄相关的疾病。我们重点关注炎症、癌症和阿尔茨海默病。最后，我们讨论基于表观遗传重编程的逆转时间的策略。表观遗传标记的可逆性使它们成为有希望的复兴目标。为此，更好地了解衰老背后的表观遗传机制至关重要。表观遗传时钟被成功设计来监测这些机制和环境因素的影响。应该对与年龄相关的疾病进行进一步的研究，以确定其表观遗传特征，同时查明表观遗传机制的缺陷，从而确定潜在的治疗靶点。至于返老还童，表观遗传重编程仍处于早期阶段。