Have you ever wondered what the secret to a long and healthy life is? This secret is hidden behind a term that has been gaining in importance recently: “longevity”. Research institutes, doctors and scientists – including tech gurus such as Bryan Johnson – have long been the latest hot topic in the USA and are devoting themselves intensively to longevity research.
They all contribute to the fact that science is constantly gaining new insights into ageing. The term has now also gained a foothold in Europe and is increasingly becoming the focus of scientific research and health-conscious lifestyles. And for good reason, because ultimately longevity is about what really counts in the end: our health.
Longevity – more than just the next megatrend
Longevity refers to the ability to live for many years and remain healthy for as long as possible. The aim is to fill these years with health, vitality and joy. Both the maximum lifespan, i.e. the maximum age an individual can reach, and the health span, i.e. the quality of life during this time, are of crucial importance.
There are various approaches to improving our longevity. These include a balanced diet, regular physical activity, sufficient sleep and a positive social environment. But modern medicine and technology also play a crucial role. Medical advances and digital health innovations mean we can monitor our health better and take proactive measures to improve our longevity.
Beyond old age: the focus is on health
Life expectancy in modern society is increasing all the time. On average, men in Germany live to be 78.8 years old, women even live to be 83.5 years old. Medical and technological progress as well as improved living conditions ensure that this figure continues to rise. However, a long life does not necessarily mean being healthy and free of complaints. People are getting older, but they are also ill for longer. We all dream of not only living long, but also staying healthy and active. Longevity is therefore not just a numbers game, but a holistic approach that strives for independence and health into old age.
Healthspan vs. Lifespan – The forecasts look good
So while lifespan describes the apparent total number of years we live, healthspan refers to how many years of our lives we spend healthy, free from disease and in good health. Although life expectancy has increased worldwide, healthspan has not kept pace.
The contradiction between lifespan and health span is scientifically recognized and is estimated at around 10-12 years, according to research. But that is not the whole of this rather unpleasant truth: the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts that a child born in Germany today will spend only 71 (70.89) of the average 82 (81.72) years of life in good health. This means a sober realization: 11 years of loss in quality of life. Longevity is determined to tackle this discrepancy.
How can I influence my longevity myself?
The good news is that our longevity is partly in our own hands! A variety of factors influence our ability to lead a long and healthy life. From our diet and lifestyle to our social environment, we can exert an influence. Genes only play a subordinate role. They only have a 20% influence on the development of diseases and on our lifespan. The remaining 80 % is controlled by epigenetics.
A balanced diet, regular exercise, sufficient sleep and avoiding harmful substances such as tobacco, alcohol and environmental toxins are important building blocks for a long and healthy life. But social contacts and a positive attitude to life can also have a positive influence on our longevity.
Technology as support for our longevity
The role of technology in this context should not be underestimated. Modern technologies and medical research are working hand in hand to develop new therapies and treatment methods that can slow down or even prevent ageing. Renowned scientists such as Dr. David Sinclair and Dr. Peter Attia are driving longevity research forward.
Entire research institutes have been studying the question of longevity for decades and are deciphering more and more factors that cause us to age. In the private sphere, digital innovations such as body-connected technologies and apps can help us to monitor and optimize our lifestyle. This helps us to improve our own health in the long term and thus achieve longevity.
“Longevity Escape Velocity”: the prospect of a long life of eternal youth
In the world of longevity, we come across a fascinating concept known as “Longevity Escape Velocity”. This term was first coined by the British biogerontologist Aubrey de Gray, who became widely known for his book “Never Old!”.
The basic idea behind this concept is extremely interesting. Humanity is constantly benefiting from advances in medical treatments and technologies. This also explains why our average life expectancy is increasing over time, far beyond what the statistical life expectancy at the time of our birth would suggest. Yet we continue to experience an ageing process that is advancing faster than science can make progress to slow it down.
The “escape velocity of longevity” occurs when life expectancy increases by more than one year per year of research. In plain language, this means that research generates valuable new findings so quickly that it can continuously provide answers to the questions of ageing. The ultimate goal would be a state of eternal youth. Some researchers already believe that we are on the verge of reaching this point. The future will ultimately show what developments await us.
Conclusion
Longevity is a topic that plays a decisive role both in scientific research and in our daily lifestyle. Longevity and anti-ageing research has already uncovered important levers and mechanisms in the body that determine our age. Thanks to these, we increasingly have the opportunity to influence our ageing process and thus align our health span with our lifespan. By making conscious decisions regarding diet, exercise, sleep and social contacts, we can have a major influence on our longevity. Modern technologies offer us valuable support. They enable us not only to live longer, but also to live healthier lives.
Sources:
Table of contents
