The information theory of aging states that the epigenetic information, pristine when young, is lost as people get older, causing cells to lose their identity.

“This claim accurately describes the core concept of the Information Theory of Aging (ITOA), a hypothesis primarily advanced by Dr. David Sinclair. According to multiple sources, including a 2023 paper in the journal Nature Aging, the theory posits that aging is driven by the progressive loss of epigenetic information, not changes to the DNA code itself. This loss of epigenetic instruction causes cells to forget their original function and identity, leading to the hallmarks of aging. Context: This theory distinguishes between genetic information (the DNA code, which is seen as relatively stable) and epigenetic information (the instructions on how genes are read and expressed). The ITOA suggests that while the genetic "hardware" remains intact, the epigenetic "software" becomes corrupted over time.”