Eric Topol explores the science of super-agers and healthy aging

Cardiologist and author Eric Topol discusses his article, "What super agers can teach us about longevity and health span," which is an excerpt from his new book, Super Agers: An Evidence-Based Approach to Longevity. He introduces the critical difference between lifespan (total years lived) and health span (years lived in optimal health). Eric shares the surprising results of his "Wellderly" study, which sequenced the genomes of over a thousand healthy adults over age eighty. The study found that their exceptional health was not primarily due to protective genes, but was instead strongly correlated with lifestyle factors like being thinner, exercising more, and having robust social connections. Contrasting this group with the 60 percent of U.S. adults who have at least one chronic disease, he argues that the goal shouldn't just be a long life, but a long and healthy one. The conversation clarifies two paths to this goal—slowing aging itself or delaying disease—and makes the case that focusing on preventing and delaying chronic illness is the most evidence-based approach we can all take to maximize our health span.

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