Longevity: Ageing in top form

“Who wants to live forever?” Freddie Mercury once sang – and the answer is something that preoccupies many people today. It's not just about living a long life, but also about health, staying active and shaping the way we age. Longevity, meaning a long life with quality, is evolving from a niche scientific topic to a major social trend.

The latest trend among celebrities is optimised blood values, biological age analysis and red light therapy. Kim Kardashian shows her biological age test on Instagram, Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow wear ŌURA rings to analyse sleep and recovery data, and Chris Hemsworth is investing in the health app “Centr”.

What's behind the longevity hype?

Modern longevity research focuses on two concepts: lifespan (length of life) and healthspan (healthy, active years). The goal is not only to live to a ripe old age, but also to remain fit, both physically and mentally.

What does this mean for each of us?

Not everyone has access to high-tech devices, longevity clinics or private health coaches like celebrities. The good news is that many findings from longevity research can be implemented in everyday life using simple means – without a large budget, but with motivation and consistency.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity is one of the most powerful levers for a long, healthy life. It doesn't have to be high-performance sport – just 30 minutes of brisk walking every day has been proven to improve cardiovascular health, mood and metabolism.
• Nutrition: A Mediterranean diet rich in vegetables, legumes and good fats (e.g. olive oil, nuts) promotes cell health. Intermittent fasting is also discussed as a way to extend life, as it gives the body time to repair cells.
• Sleep: Good sleep strengthens the immune system, reduces the risk of heart disease, dementia and depression, and is crucial for cell renewal. Longevity experts often consider sleep quality to be more important than diet.
• Stress management: Chronic stress accelerates the ageing process through inflammation, high blood pressure and poor sleep. Those who actively manage stress benefit both physically and mentally.
• Prevention: Many diseases, from diabetes to cancer, can be detected and treated early through regular check-ups.
• Technological aids: Health apps, pedometers, fitness trackers and sleep monitors help establish routines and set healthy goals.
  
  

Innovative techniques and trends in longevity research

How modern science is rethinking long, healthy lives

Longevity research – the science of healthy ageing – is experiencing a rapid upswing. At the interface between biotechnology, digitalisation and preventive medicine, technologies are emerging that could slow down ageing and even reverse it in the long term.

• Biological age – a new measure of health: At the heart of this movement is biological age – the actual ‘inner life’ of our cells. Modern blood analyses, such as DNA methylation tests, reveal inflammation levels, cell ageing and disease risks. Companies such as TruDiagnostic and Elysium Health already offer these tests as part of preventive care programmes – a step towards more precise, individualised medicine.
• Smart wearables with AI: Devices such as the ŌURA ring and the WHOOP band go far beyond step counters. They analyse sleep cycles, body temperature and heart rate variability. When connected to artificial intelligence, they provide personalised recommendations – for better regeneration or stress management, for example. The goal is to create an early warning system for everyday health.
• Cell rejuvenation through reprogramming: Still in the research phase, but promising: so-called cell reprogramming with Yamanaka factors. Initial animal experiments show that aged cells can be rejuvenated. Major tech investors see the potential for a medical breakthrough here – even if its use in humans is still a long way off.
• Longevity centres and biohacking: Specialised longevity clinics offering programmes for cell rejuvenation, hormone balance and gut health are springing up in cities such as Los Angeles and Dubai. At the same time, the biohacking scene is booming, with methods such as cold baths, light therapy and fasting being used to optimise health and performance.
• A growing market of the future: More and more start-ups are developing digital hormone coaches, personalised nutrition plans and microbiome analyses. The global market for longevity technologies is estimated at over 40 billion euros annually – with strong growth. A long, healthy life is becoming a key economic and social resource.

Longevity is more than a trend – it is a paradigm shift. The goal is not just a long life, but a healthy one. Thanks to modern technologies, this vision is becoming closer to reality – for everyone who invests in their health in good time.

What does this mean for insurers?

The longevity movement opens up new perspectives and challenges for insurance companies:

Prevention instead of reaction: When customers invest in their health, the risk of chronic diseases decreases in the long term. This reduces costs and opens up scope for bonus programmes or contribution advantages.

New products and tariffs: Biological age analyses or preventive measures such as personal coaching could be integrated into future policies – for example, as an additional service in life or supplementary health insurance.

Data-based pricing: Wearables continuously provide health data. The question is: How can this data be integrated into tariffs in a meaningful and fair way – without losing sight of data protection and the principle of solidarity?

Target group communication: The growing demand for ‘healthy ageing’ may also change communication. Instead of focusing on the fear of ageing, active ageing is presented as part of a modern lifestyle.

In short, those who reward health instead of managing illness can create long-term trust and added value – for customers and insurers alike.

The downside of the longevity wave

As fascinating as the topic is, not everything shines in the longevity cosmos:

• Commercialisation of health: Blood tests, wearables, dietary supplements – often backed by companies with a financial interest. The quality varies greatly.
• Psychological pressure: People who constantly track their values can quickly fall into a kind of optimisation mania – and cause themselves more stress than good.
• Social inequality: Many methods are expensive or require access to specialised clinics – a privilege that not everyone has.
   

Conclusion: The future is long – if we shape it

Research into longevity is full of opportunities: it shows us that ageing does not have to be a passive process. Those who take responsibility for their health today can enjoy a better quality of life tomorrow – regardless of their age.

But perhaps the most important insight is that it is not about eternal life. It is about living the years we have in the best possible way. Or, as Freddie Mercury put it: “Forever is our today.”

Text: Sebastian Sehr