Human health generally declines with age. Many of us know multiple older individuals, and perhaps few young ones, suffering from chronic conditions like cancer or Alzheimer's disease. Apart from circumstances like accidents, violence, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders, most people experience deteriorating health and vitality due to chronic diseases in later life. They will eventually show typical signs of ageing: muscle loss, visual impairment, slower wound healing, and a general decline in both mental and physical agility.
Our focus on optimising healthspan stems from the belief that increasing the years spent free from chronic diseases or disabilities is a crucial 21st-century goal.
In a world burdened by healthcare and pension systems, delaying or preventing signs of frailty and old age offers clear economic and social benefits. Individually, the advantages are even more evident. Few of us want to spend our final years dependent on bedpans or wheelchairs or repeatedly asking our grandchildren the same questions due to dementia. Prolonging good health allows us to enjoy more time doing what makes us happy and fulfilled.
Age is the greatest risk factor for nearly all major causes of death, disability, and functional decline in developed countries. We accumulate damage with age, and this damage and the resulting biological changes create conditions that facilitate these diseases.
We have long known that lifestyle changes, such as improved diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking, can significantly enhance our resistance to disease and decline.
Scientific interest in ageing has rapidly advanced in the last decade. Thanks to technological advances, researchers are investigating various biological processes—like cellular senescence, inflammation, and epigenetic modifications—to understand how they drive ageing and age-related diseases. They aim to find new intervention points and apply this knowledge to help people live healthier lives.
We are excited about the potential progress and are dedicated to discerning valuable insights from misinformation. By making healthspan optimisation our mission, we aim to change the narrative around ageing and establish a new medical paradigm focused on prevention, healthy ageing, and a dignified future for all.
Prepare for your marginal decade, which represents the last decade of your life. This time is often spent in poor health. Our goal is to empower you with actionable knowledge and lifestyle changes to optimise your chance of achieving this and more.
