The study of medicine was born out of the concept of avoiding death. From the early days of antibiotics and vaccines to the more recent longevity-oriented research, medicine has always held the goal of extending life. While improving lifespan is central to modern human health, a conventional medicine perspective can often fall short of prioritizing the actual quality of life of those extended years. Healthspan, however, considers how long a person can live and still function optimally for their age, mentally and physically. With more and more people living longer yet still struggling with health issues, it begs the question of whether focusing on lifespan alone in healthcare is enough.
One hundred years ago, the average lifespan in the United States was around 53 years. Now, the average woman lives to around 79 years and the average man lives to around 73 years. This is primarily due to advancements in medicine that have enabled human survival amidst the threat of invading pathogens or infections from injuries. The key components of modern medicine, including antibiotics, antiseptics, basic surgical tools, and early vaccines could be considered modern inventions in the grand scheme of human civilization. It is no doubt these advances were pivotal to keeping humans alive for longer in the face of acute threats.
However, as medical science and technology continue to support longer the goal of a longer life expectancy, there is growing recognition that living longer may not necessarily equate to living well. An extended life spent battling diseases with limited mobility, or struggling with cognitive decline, can be burdensome to both the individual and the healthcare system as it is currently stands. Forward-thinking medical minds agree that prioritizing healthspan over lifespan should be prioritized more when delivering healthcare.
Lifespan vs. Healthspan
Lifespan, simply put, is how long someone lives. The term healthspan refers to the period of life during which an individual is healthy, active, and free from serious chronic diseases or debilitating conditions. For instance, two individuals may live to 90, but one might enjoy vibrant health and independence until the very end, while the other experiences decades of chronic illness and disability. Both lifespans are extended, but both experience a drastically different quality of life within those extra years.
How to Measure Healthspan
While lifespan is relatively straightforward to measure, healthspan can often be subjective and can vary based on individual circumstances.
Regardless, there are specific factors that are considered when defining healthspan, including:
- Physical Health: The absence of debilitating diseases such as cardiovascular conditions, diabetes, or cancer, and maintaining strength, flexibility, and endurance.
- Cognitive Function: Preserving memory, attention, and problem-solving skills.
- Emotional Well-Being: Sustaining a positive outlook and managing stress effectively.
- Social Engagement: Maintaining meaningful relationships and a sense of purpose.
How to Extend Healthspan
Embracing the concept of healthspan means helping to ensure that any extra years gained are marked by productivity, independence, and joy rather than illness and frailty. This is largely dependent on a healthcare provider’s approach to care, as well as an individual’s perspective on aging. A conventional healthcare approach to an age-related health issue may prioritize prescribing medications to manage symptoms or recommend invasive procedures without considering the possible long-term impact.
On the other hand, healthcare through the lens of prevention and root-cause medicine aims to alleviate the underlying cause of a condition at its source and prioritizes an outcome of longevity with vitality, rather than mere survival. Functional medicine providers use this philosophy to address health concerns, keeping both short- and long-term health and well-being at the forefront of their medical recommendations.
Supporting Healthspan through Functional Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, & Longevity Science
Unlike the conventional medical perspective, functional medicine uses the principles of prevention to think ahead when treating a patient with a chronic or acute medical issue. With the goal of longevity and of freeing an individual from the burden of disease, functional medicine emphasizes alleviating a health issue from its origin point. For instance, an individual with type 2 diabetes later in life may be able to manage their condition through conventionally prescribed medications for the remainder of their life. A functional medicine-oriented approach would address the metabolic complexities of the patient and begin to unravel the root causes of the condition, with the goal of restoring optimal metabolic and hormonal function and reducing their reliance on medication.
In addition to functional medicine, advancements in regenerative medicine have transformed the way many see aging, particularly among orthopedic conditions. Degenerative joint conditions that were once deemed inevitable and permanent are now considered treatable, and oftentimes reversable. Platelet-rich Plasma and stem cell therapy treatments are now slowly being considered a gold standard of healing degenerative joints to reduce pain. Where once joint pain due to the factors of aging once stopped people from living active lifestyles, joint tissue is now able to be naturally regenerated using the body’s own healing mechanisms. This leaves many with hope of continuing to do what they love pain-free well into their later years in life.
Finally, the general influx of research into longevity science has begun to narrow the gap between living old and living well, ensuring that as lifespan increases, healthspan also remains intact. This offers promising new avenues for improving healthspan by integrating lifestyle interventions with cutting-edge research. Researchers are exploring groundbreaking concepts such as gene editing and microbiome optimization to further support healthy aging, as well as a deeper understanding of biological markers like telomere length and epigenetic clocks to explore how aging affects the body at a cellular level.
While many of these endeavors are still in their infancy, healthy aging can be supported through healthy and consistent lifestyle behaviors starting at any age. Nutrition and physical activity are among the most powerful antidotes to aging. Eating a diet rich in whole foods and lean protein, while limiting sugar and alcohol, can help reduce inflammation, manage metabolism, and prevent chronic disease. Understanding food sensitivities and any nutritional deficiencies through in-depth blood panels or specialized gut health testing can also help create a personalized pathway to nutritional optimization. Regular cardiovascular exercise and strength training enhances heart health, maintains muscle mass, and supports metabolic health. In fact, consistent strength and balance training have also been linked directly to fall reduction and the prevention of age-related osteoporosis in older populations. Additionally, sleep is critical for cellular repair and cognitive function, as well as maintaining optimal metabolic function. Stress, while sometimes unavoidable, is a significant factor in aging. Learning to manage stress through practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and meditation helps mitigate the harmful effects of chronic stress over time associated with accelerated aging.
Focusing our efforts on healthspan represents a critical shift in our approach to medicine: adding years to life to adding life to years. These profound and positive implications span individuals and society, from reducing healthcare costs by preventing age-related health conditions, to alleviating the burden on caregivers and improving the overall quality of life for our aging populations. Health through a functional medicine lens offers a future where aging is not a decline into illness, but a continuation of vitality and fulfillment. This perspective may hold the key to a future where quality of life is just as important as length of life in the world of medicine.
Speak to a functional medicine expert today to learn more about a longevity-oriented approach to care.