Intro
This guide is a foundation piece for the Aging & Longevity hub. It will define the basics (aging, lifespan, healthspan), outline what changes biologically with age, and clarify what we can and can’t currently influence.
Key Points
- Aging is biological decline over time, not just “getting older.”
- Lifespan and healthspan are related but not the same.
- Genetics and environment both contribute; neither tells the full story alone.
- Most “longevity” advice is really about reducing disease risk and preserving function.
Background
Stub: expand with a clear explanation of aging biology, major age-related disease categories, and why risk rises with age.
What changes with age
Stub: expand with high-level systems overview (cardiometabolic, immune, musculoskeletal, brain).
What longevity research is trying to do
Stub: interventions, biomarkers, slowing aging vs delaying disease.
FAQ
Q: What is aging?
A: Aging is the gradual decline in physiological function over time, increasing vulnerability to disease and death.
Q: Lifespan vs healthspan?
A: Lifespan is total years lived. Healthspan is years lived in good function and low disease burden.
Q: Is aging mostly genes or lifestyle?
A: Both. Genes shape predisposition; lifestyle/environment influences how it plays out.