Age—a simple word that affects us in such complex and nuanced ways. When we think of living a long life, are we talking about lifespan? Or do we mean longevity? Are we considering chronological age vs biological age? In celebration of National Longevity Day, EllieMD will take us through the many definitions of age and the best way to find true wellness and optimal longevity.

So what truly do the terms surrounding age mean? In honor of National Longevity Day, here’s a quick rundown:

• Lifespan is the total number of years one lives. In traditional healthcare models, this is the number people most often focus on extending.
• Life expectancy is the length of time a person is expected to live based on certain conditions, such as ethnicity, country or region, climate, access to healthcare, and agriculture. In the United States, average life expectancy, according to the World Health Organization, is 76.4 years. Lifespan and life expectancy are often used interchangeably.
• Longevity is the art and science of living not just longer, but healthier, and with vitality and joy. After all, why live more years if that time isn’t spent living at optimal wellness?
• Health span is the years spent living in good health, without worry of chronic disease, limitations, or pain. The more we prolong these years, the better.
• Chronological age refers to the years a person has been alive. This is the marker most often associated with the risk factor of disease, as the higher this number is, the greater the chances are of developing an age-related condition, such as arthritis, hearing loss, or even some types of cancer.
• Biological age is aging at the cellular level, a slightly different snapshot compared with chronological age. Certain risk factors, such as a harsh environment, pollution, smoking, substance use, and sun exposure can affect cellular aging. For example, someone living in a region with low pollution who’s never smoked, engages in an active lifestyle and consumes a whole food diet may be 70 chronologically, but their cells may appear microscopically to be 50. Conversely, a 50 year-old living in a high-pollution zone, who’s worked for decades outdoors in harsh conditions without sunscreen, experiences poor sleep and high stress, and hasn’t consumed a very healthy diet may biologically be 70 in their cells.

At EllieMD, our goal is longevity and bringing the body’s complex systems into balance for long-term health at the cellular level. We would love nothing more than to add 20-30 quality years to our clients’ lives through our focus on health span, longevity, and optimal balance.

National Longevity Day recognizes aging’s many definitions and strives to raise global awareness about the habits that promote longevity and the greatest quality of life. The aim is to encourage reflection of the factors that lengthen lifespan and improve cellular health and personal wellness.

These factors include promising medical research, beneficial social programs, and the overall healthy lifestyles people adopt to prevent age-related diseases, resulting in a life lived with dignity, joy, and ease.

National Longevity Day often coincides with the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons. This combines the view of scientific progress and medical breakthroughs with a snapshot of how lifestyle choices can promote more fulfilling, happier, and healthier lives.

Whether you’re in your 30s or your 80s, promoting longevity can benefit anyone.

At EllieMD, our efforts to improve longevity awareness have existed from our inception. Hanieh Sigari, our Founder and CEO, began with a mission to solve the puzzle of aging. Her background in biochemistry and gerontology is a direct result of deeply held emotional connections to elderly loved ones in her youth. From them, she learned the value of balancing lifestyle and science to optimize the aging process for the greatest number of healthy years possible.

Through technology and compassion, EllieMD brings Hanieh’s passion and personal mission to bear. We ensure our clients have access to cutting-edge longevity treatments designed to maximize wellness while breaking barriers to the traditional healthcare model.

EllieMD offers an array of longevity products to help our clients achieve their wellness and longevity goals. Such as:

NAD+ is a co-enzyme that makes up two forms of Vitamin B3—nicotinamide and nicotinic acid. Together, they are responsible for cellular communication and are a necessary component of cellular energy production vital to the mitochondria, the powerhouse of every cell. Key benefits of NAD+ supplements include:

• Anti-aging and longevity through its properties of cellular repair and regeneration.
• Improved mental focus and concentration, especially for people with brain fog or symptoms of cognitive decline.
• Increased energy, as NAD+ is responsible for mitochondrial function and ATP production. These combat fatigue and restore energy levels naturally.
• Regulated metabolic processes, which improve insulin sensitivity, restore metabolic balance, and reduce the risk of metabolic diseases such as Type 2 Diabetes.
• Mood stabilization. Studies show NAD+ therapy has the ability to smooth emotional states for depression, anxiety, and certain mood disorders.
• Reduce oxidative stress and increase cellular energy production, which are some of the main functions of NAD+ when it naturally occurs in the body.

In addition to the above peptides, these lifestyle changes may also reduce your cellular age and improve overall biological processes for the optimal balance of body systems.

• Maintaining good sleep hygiene is one of the body’s best tools for cellular repair. Cells regenerate and systems reset during sleep, helping us repair the signs of aging and damage from antioxidants and free radicals. Quality sleep helps body’s complex systems run smoothly
• Adopting a diet that emphasizes whole foods is another pathway to longevity. An ideal, well-rounded diet emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and healthy proteins while prioritizing herbs and spices to flavor recipes instead of salt-based seasonings. Choosing a whole-food version over a processed version of an item is always recommended because it maximizes gut health. This is important for brain and muscle health as well as bone density. These things are increasingly important as we grow older.
• Moderate daily exercise is another strategy supporting longevity and wellness. It doesn’t have to be vigorous—a simple walk or time spent gardening can keep a person active, and these are common activities in Blue Zones.
• Reducing stress is another key to longevity. Hobbies like meditation, yoga, listening to music, reading, fishing, hiking, or anything that brings joy and minimizes stress is highly recommended.
• Building a support network, a reliable group of people one can count on in times of need, can provide a sense of safety and stability that contributes to stress reduction as well.
• Creating active social connections builds community one needs, too. EllieMD creates meaningful connections through in-person and online gatherings such as Meet the Founder events and the Educational Series, providing a supportive community where individuals can engage, feel a sense of belonging, and thrive. Humans are social creatures, and we thrive in communities. Whether the connections are family, friends, a reader group, hobby club, sports team, network of activists, or other circle with something in common, they can bring a sense of belonging and purpose to one’s life. This feeling nourishes the spirit, which is as important as balancing the body’s physical systems.
• Supplementing the body with any of the above products may enhance the effects of these strategies.

Are you ready to embrace National Longevity Day, feel great, and enjoy quality years no matter your age? EllieMD can get you started! Our array of wellness and longevity products can help optimize your overall health, fight inflammation, improve cellular performance, balance hormones, boost energy, and more. Face those birthday candles every year with enthusiasm and joy.

Visit our longevity collection and learn how EllieMD can support your path to lasting wellness.