Interest in extending human longevity has surged in recent years, with web searches related to anti-aging increasing fourfold from late 2024 to late 2025, according to a 2026 industry report. Online platforms like YouTube and TikTok are filled with various claims about supplements, peptides, and other interventions purported to delay aging. However, experts caution that many such assertions lack scientific support and could even pose risks.
Leading researchers emphasize that the primary objective of longevity science is not to simply extend life span but to prolong “health span”—the period during which individuals remain healthy and free from debilitating disease. Steven Austad, a biology professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, noted that while adding years to life is welcomed, the goal is to reduce the duration of ill health in older adults.
Contrary to popular belief, recent data show mixed progress in life expectancy and health. A 2025 study revealed that average life expectancy in the United States increased by only about six months from 2009 to 2019, while healthy life expectancy during this period actually declined. The U.S. was the only high-income country to experience this trend. Austad compared this to a game of Whac-a-Mole, with improvements in treating some diseases coinciding with rising incidence of others, such as dementia.
The effectiveness of drugs and supplements in promoting longevity is also questioned. Aladdin Shadyab, associate professor at the University of California, San Diego, highlighted that no pharmaceutical or supplement has conclusively been shown to extend human life span. Some products popular in longevity circles—like human growth hormone—may cause adverse effects such as joint pain and nerve issues. Additionally, claims surrounding supplements like NAD+ boosters have been challenged by recent research showing stable enzyme levels in aging blood, undermining the rationale for supplementation.
Differences in aging between men and women are notable. Women tend to live about five years longer on average but often spend a larger portion of late life experiencing chronic illness and disability. Experts point to the historic male focus in aging research and biological factors such as hormonal changes after menopause. Women face elevated risks for conditions including autoimmune diseases, arthritis, and Alzheimer’s disease, many of which have been understudied.
Weight loss in older adults is another area where conventional wisdom may not apply. Studies have yielded conflicting results about whether shedding pounds improves survival among people over 65. Some research suggests weight loss in this group is linked to higher mortality, potentially because it includes loss of muscle and bone rather than fat.
Finally, genetic factors play a significant role in longevity. While roughly half of life span variation is attributed to genetics and the other half to lifestyle and environment, the influence of genetics appears greater among those reaching extreme old age. Interestingly, researchers have found that people who live past 95 do not necessarily engage in healthier behaviors than others.
Overall, experts advise caution in interpreting popular anti-aging advice and stress the need for evidence-based approaches to promoting healthy aging.