Live Better, Longer: What The Science Of Healthspan Really Says
Living longer is only part of the longevity conversation. This story examines healthspan, biological-age testing and emerging interventions while separating scientific evidence from commercial hype. It also explores why India needs more local data to understand ageing, disease patterns and the potential of longevity science
We are getting better at living longer, but are we getting better at living healthier? A longer life is desirable if the additional years are lived with physical and mental strength. The research around longevity is therefore shifting from simply increasing one’s lifespan to increasing healthspan.
Science is making inroads into measuring biological age. Identification of patterns of biological signals is becoming an increasingly useful research tool. The next frontier is resetting the “biological clock” to slowdown ageing and hopefully delay the onset of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, osteoporosis or dementia. But a test that predicts risk does not tell us about a suitable intervention. Nor does improving a biological-age score guarantee a healthier lifespan. This is where excitement needs to be tempered by evidence to prevent the commercial ecosystem from translating promising biology into premature medicine and profiteering endeavors.
While novel uses for existing drugs and newer approaches to metabolism and immune ageing are exciting, many of the interventions with the strongest evidence for healthier ageing appear simple and unglamorous. Regular physical activity, preservation of muscle, cardiorespiratory fitness, good nutrition, adequate sleep and remaining cognitively and socially engaged are better established measures for improving health.
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The conversations around healthspan are even more relevant for Indians as we often develop diabetes and cardiovascular disease at younger ages and at lower levels of obesity than our Western counterparts. Hence, measures of biological age for the Western population may not be equally applicable to Indians with different genetics, diet, environment, body composition, disease patterns and social circumstances. India will therefore need its own longitudinal data and biological reference frameworks.
Medicine of the future is envisioned to be preventative and move towards continuous risk assessment. However, more does not automatically mean better. The future of healthspan will depend not only on how much we can measure, but on knowing what is worth measuring, and what is worth acting upon.
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This series will explore these frontiers, from biological age assessment, brain health, cancer prevention, traditional medicine, technology and commercialisation. A deep dive into each will highlight what is well-proven and scientifically validated, what seems promising, and where enthusiasm has outpaced evidence. Stay tuned!
Dr Anjali Agrawal is a physician and health enthusiast. She is a Consultant at Teleradiology Solutions and a Distinguished Visitor at the Koita Centre for Digital Health, Ashoka University.