Genetic factors shape your health and longevity, but lifestyle choices, like your diet and exercise routine, can have a profound effect on your aging process. As more people seek to understand and optimize these influences, companies like Tally Health have developed tools to assess biological age and guide healthier living.
Launched in 2023, Tally Health is a new company, though it has already amassed huge popularity due to its founder — Harvard professor and longevity expert David Sinclair. The company claims its services are science-backed and proven to be effective. We’ll investigate these claims and assess its practical value through various Tally Health reviews.
Bonus: You’ll also discover Nucleus — a clinical-grade DNA platform that can analyze almost your entire genome, reveal your genetic predisposition to longevity, and offer personalized lifestyle advice.
How does Tally Health work?
Tally Health offers an at-home biological age test called TallyAge, which calculates your biological or epigenetic age. Tally determines this by measuring your DNA methylation and analyzing 12 hallmarks of aging, such as cellular aging and chronic inflammation.
You can access TallyAge by taking the following steps:
Order the test kit
Swab your cheek
Mail the sample to the lab
TallyAge will also consider your habits, such as your diet and alcohol intake, which can impact your aging significantly. When you provide this information in the Lifestyle Survey, Tally will give you a score (0–100) and combine it with your DNA data to calculate your epigenetic age.
Source: Tally Health
Results typically arrive within seven weeks. Besides the age estimate, you’ll get an Action Plan that includes personalized lifestyle recommendations.
To further support your anti-aging efforts, Tally Health offers a range of supplement formulations designed to target specific areas of health:
Bonus read — Discover similar services through our reviews:
Tally Health review: Key insights from user reports
With its famous founder, star-studded list of investors, and well-thought-out marketing claims, Tally Health seems like a must-try for any devoted biohacker. Still, Tally has some shortcomings you should be aware of before buying its test. We’ve analyzed its website and independent reviews to provide an in-depth assessment, focusing on these key aspects:
Scientific background and accuracy
Efficacy of tips and supplements
Pricing model and billing practices
User experience and customer support
1. Scientific background and accuracy
To determine your biological age, Tally Health uses a method called MethylationEPIC array, which analyzes about 850,000 DNA sites for 12 hallmarks of aging. Once it has the data, Tally will calculate your age using a proprietary machine-learning algorithm.
Although the company claims its test and supplements are backed by science, it lacks FDA approval. Also, it hasn’t disclosed where it conducts analyses nor if its lab holds certifications for testing quality.
Many experts state that Tally Health is trying to be ahead of the science. While epigenetics is a valid and rapidly advancing field, it’s not yet at the point where it can offer fully reliable estimates and advice.
Other concerns regarding the reliability of Tally Health include:
Limited scientific basis: Many of Tally’s claims and supplement formulations are based on early mouse studies, the findings of which don’t necessarily apply to humans
Potential bias in its dataset: While Tally claims its machine-learning model is trained on the largest and most diverse DNA dataset of its kind, experts believe the dataset may be skewed toward health-conscious individuals (the majority of Tally Health's pool of users). This could affect the accuracy of its reference frame for aging
What do reviews have to say about TallyAge?
These limitations are reflected in Tally Health reviews and consumer reports. Many users received surprisingly high age estimates, which allegedly didn’t align with their medical test results, lifestyle habits, and subjective assessment of well-being. Although they’re intended to motivate, the test results induced anxiety and self-doubt in some individuals.
The company admits that TallyAge results can fluctuate due to factors like high stress and claims that progress through continued testing is more important than the specific number. Still, some reviewers reported receiving higher-than-expected age estimates even after making lifestyle changes and taking Tally’s longevity supplements for years.
Tip 💡
Tally Health provides insight into your current biological state and offers recommendations for healthier aging. Still, its analysis is limited and can’t provide a complete assessment of your health risks, many of which can affect your lifespan significantly.
If you test with Nucleus, a clinical-grade DNA platform, you’ll get an analysis of nearly your whole genome. Nucleus will reveal your genetic predisposition to longevity as well as over 800 diseases and conditions, including rare ones that genotyping-based DNA tests typically overlook. The platform will consider your non-genetic factors to tailor your risk estimate further and offer personalized tips for staying healthy as long as possible.
Order your test kit today and join the likes of Bryan Johnson and many other longevity enthusiasts!
2. Efficacy of tips and supplements
Tally claims that it has formulated supplements using high-quality ingredients that have been shown to promote longevity in peer-reviewed research. It also claims the supplements are tested by a third-party expert, though it doesn’t specify the testing facility or provide certificates of analysis (CoA).
Many Tally Health supplement reviews are positive and state that the formulations have produced benefits like:
Overall increased sense of well-being
Improvement in aspects like energy, sleep, and muscle recovery
Epigenetic age reduction
Check out one user’s experience below:
Not all users were satisfied with Tally’s supplements, though. One reviewer states receiving the same formulations as his partner despite them having considerably different weight. Other dissatisfied customers report not noticing effects or even having their epigenetic age increase after taking the supplements.
As for Action Plans, Tally claims it creates them based on your DNA test results. While some users found them helpful, others thought they were generic and lacked detail.
Source: Tally Health
3. Pricing model and billing practices
Discover the prices of Tally Health’s test, supplements, and featured bundles below:
Tally Health also offers a membership ($129/month) that includes two tests a year, an annual supply of Vitality supplements, and discounts for additional tests and supplements.
Note that supplements are available only to those who’ve taken the TallyAge test. Tally also sells supplements on a subscription-based model, though it claims there's no minimum commitment and you can cancel anytime.
Still, many users have criticized Tally’s cancellation process. There’s no option to terminate the subscription on the website, and users must contact customer support via email. This can take time, so it’s important to initiate the process ahead of time to avoid charges. Some users have also reported receiving supplements after canceling the subscription.
As for Tally’s overall value for money, many users have shared that they found its services too expensive.
Bonus read — Find out how other testing companies have priced their services:
4. User experience and customer support
Testing with Tally Health is simple as it requires only a painless cheek swab sample that you can collect at home. Along with the straightforward testing process, Tally users have also complimented the customer service and support, noting that the company’s representatives were friendly and helpful.
Still, the company lacks accreditation from the Better Business Bureau, and its Trustpilot rating is 3.6 as of February 2025.
Besides problems with billing and subscription cancellation, customers have reported technical issues and delays in supplement delivery. Another common complaint pertains to Tally Health’s lack of transparency and information on the website.
Final thoughts on Tally Health reviews
We’ve summarized our key findings on Tally Health in the table below:
Although Tally has proven helpful for some users, the lack of scientific evidence on its effectiveness and safety raises concerns. If you’re interested in trying its supplements, consult with a healthcare provider to ensure they’re safe for you and won’t interact negatively with other supplements and medications you might be taking.
Longevity is a complex phenomenon, and improving your chances of living a long, healthy life requires a comprehensive approach. Above all, it’s important to understand your genetic predispositions as they can have a major impact on your well-being.
The most convenient and accurate way to acquire this knowledge is through Nucleus Premium, a test that analyzes nearly 100% of your genome. While Nucleus' test is as easy to take as TallyAge, it comes with significant advantages. It's physician-approved, 99.9% accurate, and screens for hundreds of diseases and conditions, as well as traits that can affect your longevity, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
With clearly explained results, personalized recommendations, and genetic consultations, you can design your longevity routine with confidence.
Nucleus: All-in-one DNA insights for healthier aging
Nucleus analyzes almost your whole genome, combining the data with your unique lifestyle factors to calculate your longevity score, which predicts your chances of living past 80. Besides that, Nucleus screens for over 800 diseases and conditions, including today’s leading causes of mortality, such as:
Cancer
Heart disease
Diabetes
Alzheimer’s disease
Like with Tally Health, you only need to mail in your swab sample. Next, Nucleus will analyze it using cutting-edge whole-genome sequencing technology, which allows it to provide reliable and detailed results. Nucleus’ lab is CAP and CLIA-certified, so it abides by the highest standards for scientific integrity and testing quality.
Nucleus will present your results in a clear way and provide actionable advice for improving your health outcomes. For additional support, Nucleus partners with SteadyMD and offers consultations with board-certified geneticists, who can answer your questions and guide your longevity efforts.
Take control of your future: Order Nucleus Premium
The first step is to order Nucleus Premium, which costs only $399 and includes:
The test kit with all the equipment you need
Every available health and trait analysis
Two-way shipping
With Nucleus, you only need to test once, as your DNA always stays the same. Still, you can choose to receive updated scores as Nucleus learns about your lifestyle changes and advancements in genetics.
Here’s how you can access Nucleus’ longevity insights:
Provide your personal information
Order the test kit
After your kit arrives, you only need to swab your cheeks, which takes minutes. You’ll get your results online within six to eight weeks of the lab receiving your sample. Note that Nucleus is HIPAA-compliant and employs strict measures to protect your sample and sensitive data.
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Featured image source: Mikhail Nilov
