The term Longevity stands for a holistic health and ageing concept: the health span, i.e. the period of life in which you are healthy, should be brought closer to the lifespan, i.e. the total lifespan. With longevity, you may "only" live to the same age as without it, but you will be physically and mentally fit for longer. Research is being conducted worldwide into how this can be achieved.
Anti-ageing measures or applications are generally aimed at reducing or preventing signs of ageing. A classic example is anti-wrinkle cream. More ambitious trends even aim to stop or reverse the ageing process in order to prolong life in the best case scenario.
At first glance, the difference to longevity appears to be more philosophical in nature, but it is actually fundamental: longevity is based on a holistic understanding of the complex interactions and relationships in the human body and means something like, see above, "living healthy for longer" or "experiencing life as long as possible in good health, fit and vital".
This can mean, for example, not taking measures to look younger or reach a higher age. Instead, the primary aim is to stay healthy and fit into old age - in the knowledge that this may slow down skin ageing, prevent illness or prolong life. Anti-ageing not as a goal, but as a bonus.
Scientists researching longevity have identified numerous factors that can influence "living longer in good health". Surprisingly, genes only play a minor role: only around 25% of human life expectancy is genetically determined. Environmental influences and lifestyle - and in the case of the latter, diet in particular - have the greatest influence on how long a person lives and, above all, how long they live in good health.
This means that we actually have longevity largely in our own hands. The basis is a healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a balanced diet that meets the personal needs of the respective phase of life. It has long been known that this is healthy, but in the longevity context it has a sharper focus: instead of healing and repair, the emphasis is even more on prevention and maintenance. And this is where nutritional supplements can be helpful and useful.
A diet that is low in calories and high in nutrients compared to the usual Central European diet is considered healthy in the sense of the Longevity concept. Mediterranean cuisine is often cited as an example. The important nutrients are hardly to be found in ready-made products, sweet, fatty and salty foods - but all the more calories. It is better to include plenty of fresh vegetables and healthy fats, e.g. from olive oil and fish, in your meals. The diet should be balanced and varied.
However, this is often not possible in everyday life. For example, vegetarians or vegans do not consume some nutrients or do not consume them in sufficient quantities. It can then be useful to take dietary supplements to make up for missing (micro)nutrients. Depending on requirements, multivitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants etc. can support the supply of nutrients.
Restful sleep gives the body the opportunity to regenerate. It also allows the immune system to perform at its best. These are both central aspects of Longevity.
However, the requirements for restful sleep vary from person to person - as do the reasons that can stand in the way of healthy sleep. One of these reasons can be an undersupply of certain nutrients, vitamins and minerals due to individual dietary and lifestyle habits.
For example, B vitamins, vitamin C or magnesium can support healthy sleep: They contribute to normal mental function, normal energy metabolism, normal nervous system function and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. If they are not absorbed in sufficient quantities, this can lead to problems during sleep phases, for example, through symptoms of fatigue during waking phases. The influence of the so-called "sleep hormone" melatonin is more direct: it can shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and thus create the basic prerequisite for restful sleep.
Supplements can support the supply of vitamins and minerals, as well as a sufficient supply of melatonin.
For some researchers, the most important aspect of longevity is that stress can damage health in many ways - and cause people to age visibly. Stress leads to a high consumption of energy and nutrients, which in turn means more stress for the body. This stress spiral can be interrupted if the missing nutrients are taken in as required via food supplements.
Magnesium, vitamin B12 and vitamin C, for example, contribute to normal mental function, normal energy metabolism and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. NADH works precisely in the cells and ensures that energy reserves are built up again from the base. The amino acid 5-HTP contributes to stress resistance through the production of serotonin.
Many people also rely on herbal support for stress: valerian is traditionally known for its calming effects, ashwagandha, the "queen of Ayurveda", can contribute to emotional stability and green tea counteracts mental fatigue and the resulting increased stress levels with caffeine.
Regular physical activity is an essential part of Longevity. Exercise - preferably at least two to three times a week in the fresh air - has a demonstrably positive effect on the mind and body. The basic prerequisite for an active lifestyle is a sufficient, balanced supply of nutrients.
Food supplements can also support the optimal supply of important nutrients and thus - indirectly - mobility: For example, magnesium, potassium and vitamin D contribute to normal muscle function, calcium, magnesium, manganese and vitamin D to the maintenance of normal bones and vitamin C to normal collagen formation for normal bone and cartilage function.
Alcohol and nicotine are neurotoxins and should be avoided in line with the Longevity idea, as they can massively increase the risk of serious illness. However, they are often also responsible for an insufficient supply of vitamins and minerals. Supplements can also be useful in such cases.
Alcohol inhibits the release of the hormone vasopressin, which controls the excretion of fluid via the kidneys. In addition, alcohol is usually consumed with a lot of liquid. This combination ensures that you have to go to the toilet frequently and the body excretes many important minerals as a result. Smoking can also reduce the available amounts of certain vitamins in the body or increase the need for them. The vitamin C intake recommendation of the German Nutrition Society (DGE), for example, is 40% higher for smokers than for non-smokers.
... based on a healthy lifestyle with a varied, balanced diet. This can be supplemented, but not replaced, by dietary supplements.
If you have any doubts as to whether you should supplement your diet with one or more nutrients, vitamins or minerals, seek advice from a specialist, e.g. a nutritionist or doctor.
Vitamins and minerals are the basis for our health. A deficiency can lead to a wide variety of complaints.
It is often difficult to get enough vitamins and minerals through your daily diet. That is why more and more nutritionists are recommending taking a good multivitamin mineral capsule every day.
Everyone knows that vitamins are vital and therefore important for our health. The effects of each individual vitamin in the body are unknown to many.
That is why we are presenting you with an overview of the most important vital substances and their natural sources in detail. As you read through, you will see how much vitamins, minerals and trace elements effect our well-being, appearance, and vitality.
Omega 3 fatty acids are among the most important vital substances of our time, as they have extremely positive health effects. Research shows that omega 3 can help prevent heart disease, normalize blood pressure, lower cholesterol and relieve joint pain, migraines as well as depression.