The clinical and biological pursuit of extending the total duration of an individual’s life, with a specific and paramount focus on extending the health span—the years lived in robust health and high functional capacity. It is a scientific discipline concerned with identifying and modulating the biological mechanisms of aging and implementing interventions to slow the overall aging process. This goal is distinct from merely prolonging existence while managing chronic, debilitating illness.
Origin
A combination of “Life” and “Longevity” (from the Latin longus “long” and aevum “age”), representing the core objective of gerontology and anti-aging medicine. The modern clinical focus is intensely centered on maximizing the quality and functional capacity of the extended years of life.
Mechanism
Research and clinical practice focus on strategically modulating fundamental aging pathways, including cellular senescence, nutrient sensing pathways (like mTOR and sirtuins), and the accumulation of cellular damage. Hormonal balance is recognized as a critical determinant, as the decline of key hormones like DHEA, testosterone, and growth hormone with age directly contributes to sarcopenia and metabolic dysfunction. Strategic interventions seek to maintain youthful cellular and systemic function.
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.