- Research indicates that taking a daily multivitamin might help reduce biological aging.
- A recent study highlights that higher cardiorespiratory fitness scores during midlife could be linked to longer life spans.
- New findings suggest that even short-term dietary adjustments might help bridge the gap between biological and chronological age in older adults.
It seems that our diet, lifestyle choices, and level of physical activity could really impact our longevity.
Recent research points to a connection between elevated midlife cardiorespiratory fitness and increased lifespan. Engaging in regular aerobic activities might also slow down the development of various health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.
Another recent study found that a daily multivitamin could help slow biological aging, which refers to cellular deterioration, contrasting it with chronological age, which is just how long one has been alive.
Moreover, a piece in Aging Cell suggested that some dietary alterations might also influence biological aging positively, especially diets rich in plant-based foods.
“While aging is a natural process we all go through, there might be straightforward ways to slow it down, allowing us to live longer and better,” said Sidong Li, MD, PhD, a postdoctoral researcher at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, in a past conversation with Healthline.
A 2026 study with 958 older participants investigated the potential benefits of daily multivitamin use over two years.
This study used “epigenetic clocks” to evaluate biological aging after participants consumed Centrum Silver multivitamins and 500 milligrams of cocoa flavanols daily for two years. These clocks are tools that track chemical modifications to DNA.
The findings suggest that those taking the multivitamin showcased a slight slowdown in biological aging compared to those receiving a placebo.
In a previous interview, Michelle Routhenstein, a preventive cardiology dietitian, remarked that while these are changes in biomarkers, they don’t equate to conclusive evidence of reduced heart attacks, cancers, or longer lives. She viewed the results as hopeful yet still preliminary.
Higher midlife cardiorespiratory fitness levels are linked to longer lifespans, according to a 2026 study.
Cardiorespiratory fitness relates to how well the heart and lungs supply oxygen to muscles during physical exertion.
This study evaluated 24,576 adults aged 65 or younger. Through treadmill testing, it was determined that men with higher cardiorespiratory fitness enjoyed:
- 2% extended health span
- 9% fewer diseases
- 3% increased lifespan
Similar trends were observed in women.
“This research reinforces our understanding of cardiorespiratory fitness as an indicator of future health, emphasizing the importance of incorporating physical activity into our daily routines,” commented Cheng-Han Chen, MD, a cardiologist and medical director at MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, who was not part of the study.
A study reported in April 2026 investigated whether brief changes in diet could impact biological age estimates in older adults.
The study focused on biological age at the cellular level, assessing whether dietary habits could shift biological aging. Participants adopted one of the following dietary patterns:
- omnivorous/high fat (OHF)
- omnivorous/high carbohydrate (OHC)
- semi-vegetarian/high fat (VHF)
- semi-vegetarian/high carbohydrate (VHC)
The difference in ages determined by the Klemera-Doubal Method (KDM) was calculated before and after a four-week period.
Participants on the OHF diet showed no significant changes, which was similar to their baseline eating habits.
In contrast, those on the OHC diet registered a considerable improvement in narrowing the gap between biological and chronological ages, with similar positive outcomes noted for VHC and VHF diets.
“It’s not surprising that simple dietary shifts towards a plant-forward approach can yield significant impacts on blood pressure, cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and overall energy,” noted Routhenstein, who wasn’t part of the study.
“I interpret these findings as enhancements in cardiometabolic health, which might contribute to longevity since heart disease continues to be the top global killer, with many cases preventable via lifestyle tweaks,” she added.
However, she cautioned against labeling this as a “true age reversal,” as long-term benefits from these dietary changes need to be monitored to ensure ongoing improvements in cardiometabolic health.
Routhenstein also highlighted that the positive changes seen within just four weeks are encouraging—it suggests that anyone can benefit from dietary modifications, no matter their age.
