What does Longevity mean?
Longevity means living a long and healthy life. It is not just about extending your lifespan (life span), but also about improving your quality of life and health (health span).
Important aspects of Longevity
Goals of Longevity
Slowing down the biological ageing process
Prevention of age-related diseases
Prolonging a healthy life
Sustainable increase in quality of life
Longevity as a function
In mathematical terms: Longevity is a function of age and health. The shaded area in the diagram symbolizes the gain in quality of life that we can achieve through a longer and healthier life. This is the added value of longevity.
Is Longevity worth it?
The difference in life expectancy between people who live healthy lives and those who live unhealthy lives is 14 years on average.
Targeted increase in life expectancy
With a few targeted measures, life expectancy can be increased even further:
Other factors that significantly prolong life:
What are senescent cells?
Senescent cells are the body’s own cells that no longer divide and lose their original function. They release harmful molecules, including inflammatory messenger substances and unwanted growth factors. These cells also damage the surrounding cells and contribute to impaired organ function.
Learn more about removing senescent cells
What are AGEs?
AGEs (Advanced Glycation Endproducts) are harmful compounds that are formed when sugar reacts with proteins or fats.
Learn more about reducing AGEs
The 4 pillars of Longevity
A long and healthy life is based on four essential factors: nutrition, exercise, social connections and mental health. These cornerstones help to increase the quality of life.
Diet has a major influence on a long and healthy life. People who grow particularly old eat a predominantly plant-based diet:
They largely avoid meat, sugar and processed foods. Reducing your calorie intake or fasting can also have a positive effect.
Regular, moderate exercise promotes long-term health, such as:
These forms of exercise keep the body fit, strengthen the cardiovascular system and help to maintain muscle mass and bone density – particularly important in old age. Intensive competitive sport, on the other hand, often involves stress and the risk of injury.
Strong social ties are crucial for a long, happy life. Social interactions offer many benefits:
Loneliness, on the other hand, increases the risk of health problems such as depression and heart disease. A sense of belonging and meaningful relationships have a hugely positive effect on health.
A positive attitude, the feeling of a meaningful life or a healthy spirituality have a great influence on health and longevity. This includes:
These factors help people to cope better with stress and promote mental and physical health. People who believe in something greater are often more resilient, can cope better with stress and are more satisfied with their lives.