Healthspan is a concept in biogerontology that quantifies the period of life during which an individual is generally healthy, functional, and free from chronic disease. It is a measure distinct from, and arguably more significant than, mere lifespan, focusing on the quality of life lived without major age-related morbidity. Extending the healthspan is the core objective of modern longevity science and preventative endocrinology.
Origin
The term was coined by scientists in the field of aging research to shift the focus from simply prolonging life to extending the years spent in good health. It combines the fundamental concept of “health” with “span,” denoting a duration or period of time. This metric reflects a growing societal and clinical emphasis on vitality and independence in later years.
Mechanism
Healthspan is governed by the resilience of fundamental biological systems, including metabolic regulation, immune function, and hormonal signaling pathways. Interventions aimed at extending healthspan often target the molecular hallmarks of aging, such as cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and chronic low-grade inflammation. Optimal endocrine function, particularly balanced sex hormones and insulin sensitivity, plays a crucial role in maintaining systemic resilience and delaying the onset of age-related decline.
We use cookies to personalize content and marketing, and to analyze our traffic. This helps us maintain the quality of our free resources. manage your preferences below.
Detailed Cookie Preferences
This helps support our free resources through personalized marketing efforts and promotions.
Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors interact with our website, improving user experience and website performance.
Personalization cookies enable us to customize the content and features of our site based on your interactions, offering a more tailored experience.