Longevitymodifying

Longevitymodifying refers to factors, interventions, or processes that alter the duration of life, including both lifespan and healthspan. The term is used in aging research to describe influences that slow or accelerate aging, as well as those that improve late-life function regardless of total life length. Longevitymodifying effects can arise from genetic variation, pharmacological treatment, dietary practices, physical activity, environmental exposure, or a combination of these factors.

Genetic studies in model organisms have identified pathways that regulate aging, such as insulin/IGF-1 signaling, the target of rapamycin (TOR) pathway, sirtuins, and mitochondrial function. Interventions in these pathways can extend lifespan and/or enhance healthspan in worms, flies, and mice. Dietary approaches, particularly caloric restriction, and pharmacological mimetics (for example, metformin, rapamycin) have produced lifespan and healthspan gains in various species, though effects in humans remain under investigation. Other longevitymodifying strategies include senolytic therapies aimed at removing senescent cells and agents that improve proteostasis, inflammation, and mitochondrial efficiency. Lifestyle factors such as regular physical activity and adequate sleep also fall under longevitymodifying categories due to their impact on aging phenotypes.

Despite promising animal data, translation to humans is uncertain, and effects vary by genetic background, sex, and environment. Trade-offs may occur, such as reduced fertility or immune changes with some interventions. Distinctions exist between extending total life versus extending healthspan, and the goal in many studies is to postpone the onset of age-related diseases rather than to achieve dramatic increases in maximum lifespan.

Research into longevitymodifying spans biology, medicine, ethics, and public health. It faces methodological challenges, such as long observation periods and heterogeneous aging measures, and raises questions about accessibility, regulation, and social impact as lifespans evolve globally.