By Garick Hismatullin

Aging is one of the most natural processes humans undergo. The increase of molecular and cellular damage as we age is a fact of life. Slowing down this process can slow down aging, and one way to do this is through prevention. 

The idea that “prevention is better than cure” is now more relevant than ever. Without prevention, we experience health complications that only worsen with age. It can affect one’s quality of life as they grow older, or even reduce a person’s life expectancy.

When we focus on prevention, we can significantly increase life expectancy. Longevity isn’t the only thing we stand to gain, either. With prevention-focused care, we can also improve quality of life as we age. 

By 2030, 16% of the population will be adults aged 60 years and above, which is expected to double over time. Slowing down and reversing aging – now officially considered a disease – is essential to ensure that this population will live fulfilled lives and not put undue strain on healthcare systems.

5 Keys to Personal Longevity

It is crucial for everyone to carry out measures for personal longevity. These measures could greatly reduce or prevent the potential of acquiring age-related diseases in later years. 

Below are several practices that can improve a person’s longevity and quality of life:

1. Knowing your own body’s condition, from medical history to more recent personal health records, is vital.

Taking laboratory tests can ensure the identification of diseases at their early stages. Furthermore, correlating recently updated health information to family history is crucial for health care professionals to prescribe proper medical treatments. 

Early interventions backed by clinical data are one of the keys to prolonging life expectancy and improving the quality of life in old age. 

2. Employing preventive treatment reduces the risks associated with age-related diseases. 

Clinical interventions can prevent disease, reduce its severity, or restore previously lost functions. 

Additionally, several studies report that early medical intervention, such as taking microdoses of drugs, can help prevent or reduce damage accumulation over time. 

3. The key to good health is in boosting your defenses.  

Make sure your medication, supplements, and nutrition are on point. Taking the right supplements can reduce the risk of age-related diseases. 

Studies have shown that vitamin deficiencies are one of the leading causes of deterioration in health over time. Conversely, people with a high antioxidant intake generally have lesser chances of developing recurring cardiovascular illnesses. 

4. Healthy minds lead to healthier bodies.  

When one has a positive mindset, they tend to make better decisions. Having a more positive outlook on life begets longer life expectancies. On the other hand, a failure mindset inflicts long-term negative impacts on health and longevity. 

Taking control over one’s life and having self-confidence in one’s capabilities generally contributes to a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle.

5. Even the smallest actions can produce life-changing effects in the long term. 

Do not underestimate long-standing healthy habits such as getting quality sleep, keeping hydrated, and taking care of one’s mental health. These tried-and-true methods have been around for thousands of years. 

Maintaining the body through exercise, proper sleep hygiene, hydration, and nutrition provides individuals with a healthy mind and increased longevity. They are also connected as studies have shown that there is a direct relationship between sufficient hydration and the quality of sleep. 

The Future of Longevity

More and more people desire longer and healthier lives. 

While developing personal, preventive measures and practicing a healthy lifestyle can contribute to longer, healthier lives, the importance of seeking professional medical opinion must not be understated.

In the past, people often sought consultation and treatment only after experiencing symptoms of their illnesses. However, recent times reflect a surge of interest in personalized preventive health care compared to previous decades. 

Commitment to a healthy lifestyle can take up much personal time, effort, and finances, all problems which hinder Americans from achieving their health goals. Fortunately, more extensive medical research is being conducted on personal longevity. The challenge lies in individual implementation.

This is easier said than done, however, as seeking medical opinion requires financial resources. Add to this, healthcare access is still limited. Not everyone is able to gain access to the current healthcare system which even leads to approximately 10% of premature deaths in the United States. 

There is a need to improve the current system by restructuring it through information technology. Today, medical practitioners are turning to alternative options, one of which is a more virtual approach: telehealth. 

Telehealth Technology and Longevity: The New Normal

The rise of telehealth is primarily attributed to its usage during the COVID-19 pandemic, but its fast-paced growth shows no sign of waning anytime soon. While it’s largely used as an alternative to traditional consultations, there has also been a surge of interest in patients seeking preventive treatment through the technology. 

Telehealth provides people with accessible and affordable health care regardless of their distance and financial capabilities. It offers a wide range of services, from testing, remote diagnosis, consultation, daily updates of medical advice, and more.

As more people access its services, the industry must also improve its system. The key to enhancing telehealth lies in fine-tuning remote diagnostics. Collecting extensive health information on vitals such as blood, urine, and stool samples will enable the industry to evolve from treating minor episodic issues to becoming a global primary care solution.

Leveraging health information through artificial intelligence (AI) will empower health practitioners to make data-driven decisions. AI analyzes and cross-references data points to improve suggested treatment courses.

One of the more practical applications of AI in health information is proper diagnosis and treatment. AI can cross-check health data such as elevated cholesterol, suggest a more detailed lipid biopsy, correlate results to pharmacogenetic reports and family history, and ultimately, suggest the most suitable medication for a patient.

Key Takeaways

It is never too late to take an interest in your own well-being. There is nothing to lose in practicing personal preventive measures and seeking consultation to improve the quality and quantity of life. After all, personal health is a worthy investment.

Implementing technology in health care is essential to identify the critical factors that cause age-related diseases. Determining these concerns at their onset, treating them when they develop, and reducing their severity can lead to a longer, healthier life.

Engaging a primary care provider focusing on longevity will help extend life expectancies and enable patients to experience next-generation anti-aging therapies and reach age escape velocity.

About Garick Hismatullin

Garick Hismatullin is the CEO of Kyla. Garick began his career in the adtech industry and soon became fascinated by longevity when he attended a conference in Japan in 2010. After extensive research on the topic, he realized that Urgent and Primary Care was the most promising area in which he could focus his career. Two years later, Garick became co-owner of the first Action Urgent Health Care clinic in the Bay Area, integrating cutting-edge medical technology and understanding. 

In 2018, the CEO launched the Kyla mobile app as a primary care company. Most recently, the company has pivoted into providing COVID-care solutions such as mobile and at-home testing and at-home care during the COVID-19 pandemic.