Longevity.

Longevity is defined as living a longer and healthier life. Longevity contributes to the vitality of a community, which is crucial for improving societal well-being and healthcare outcomes. In this narrative review, we report on the accepted guidelines for preventive medical management, adopting general measures of a healthy lifestyle, and discussing suggested potential therapy for improving a long healthy life. Many studies on aging revealed that longevity is multifactorial and includes telomere attrition, mitochondrial dysfunction, and loss of intercellular communication. The first steps to achieving a long and healthy life include lifestyle modification and appropriate medical care and follow up to achieve a lifelong normal blood pressure, low low-density lipoprotein, avoid smoking, manage diabetes, and follow up of all accepted medical guidelines. This should include maintaining good physical activity, appropriate nutrition, healthy sleep patterns, and managing various life stressors. There is a suggestion that intermittent fasting in humans may reduce the risk of some age-related diseases and improve longevity. In this report we will discuss these factors as well as some medications that are linked to longevity, such as metformin, rapamycin, lithium, and certain vitamins. In the absence of clear guidelines for longevity, and in the current environment of primary care shortage, we hope this report will assist primary care providers in focusing on this challenge.

Copyright © 2026 Marshfield Clinic Health System.