When I read current men’s health literature, I often feel disheartened by society’s fixation on trying to live forever. The marketplace is saturated with advertisements promoting expensive, high-tech gimmicks that promise eternal youth—from cryotherapy chambers to superfood smoothies and Bluetooth fitness devices.  

Inevitably, these products are often marketed by vibrant, 20-something athletes who do not actually need serums or devices to help them look youthful. Longevity has become the new escapist trend. In fact, many healthcare professionals seem focused on warring a desperate battle against the natural process of becoming older, as if this were a disease to be cured. 

Aging is not a disease—it’s simply the progression of life. We all have a choice: We can either embrace lifestyle behaviors that sustain optimal aging, or we can participate in activities that accelerate the aging process and contribute to serious degenerative illnesses like dementia, heart disease, and cancer, many among others.  

Functional Medicine recognizes the innate healing capability of our remarkable bodies. Human physiology strives toward a healthy equilibrium, known as homeostasis. In a continual state of homeostasis, our bodies function optimally. However, poor lifestyle choices will throw off this delicate balance, leading to dysfunction, then eventually, disease. 

Through this homeostatic lens, health is more than just the absence of disease. It is an energetic and vibrant state of well-being, which I refer to as “thrival.” When we nurture “thrival,” a healthy aging process will naturally occur.  

As with life, death is a natural part of existence—not something we should fight or fear. Making death an adversary sets us up for a futile and emotionally draining battle that we can never win. Rather than trying to avoid the reality of death, we can invest our efforts in nurturing a joyful and meaningful relationship with life.  

Research clearly backs this mindset. The Harvard Study of Adult Development tracked the lives of 268 Harvard sophomores over the course of 80 years, starting in 1938. This study identified seven key factors to predict healthy aging:  

Being a non-smoker or quitting by age 45 

Absence of alcohol and substance abuse 

Adaptive coping styles to handle stress 

Healthy weight maintenance 

Prioritizing a stable marriage  

Regular exercise and physical activities 

Years of continuous education   

Dr. George Vaillant, who oversaw the study, offered this insightful observation: “Whether we live to vigorous old age lies not so much in our stars or our genes, as in ourselves.” If you want to age well, focus on cultivating joy, meaningful relationships, and healthy habits rather than chasing the illusion of immortality. Functional Medicine offers the guidance and tools necessary to cultivate both a happy and healthy life—after all, these simple but profound core tenets are the secret to real, sustainable longevity.