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Living longer is only part of the goal; healthspan matters, too.

The basics still matter. Sleep, physical activity, health checks, and relationships all play a role.

Focus on what you can control. Small, consistent changes can make a difference over time.

Longevity has become a hot topic in recent years. There are many products on the market—for instance, supplements, wearable devices, cold plunges, fasting, and other ways people are trying to live longer and stay healthier. With the market saturated with information, it can be difficult to know what is actually supported by research and what may simply be another wellness trend.

To better understand what longevity science tells us, I spoke with Niko Hems, head of strategy and medical communications at YEARS, a Berlin-based physician-led preventive health clinic. His work focuses on preventive health and longevity and provides a useful perspective on what people should consider when thinking about their long-term health.

1. Think About Healthspan, Not Just Lifespan

When people say they want to live longer, they often mean that they want to remain healthy while they are living longer. This is where the concept of healthspan becomes important. Healthspan refers to the years a person spends in good health without significant disease or disability.

Experts note that lifespan and healthspan are not the same. For instance, data from 183 countries found that the United States had a 12.4-year gap between lifespan and healthspan. The researchers define this gap as the portion of life expectancy affected by disease or disability.

As Hems explained, “We talk about longevity as if the goal is to add more years. The actual goal is to still be the person you want to be for as long as possible. For many people, the goal is not simply to reach a certain age. It is to still be able to do the things that matter to them while maintaining the physical and mental functioning needed to live the life they want."

2. Start With the Basics

When thinking about how longevity may look, it can be easy to focus on the newest supplement, technology, or biohacking strategy. However, experts note........

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