Longevity Without the Grift: What Actually Helps You Age Better
Leonard Hayflick, Ph.D. – The first scientist of aging
Everyone wants to live longer. That’s why people are plunging into ice baths, sweating in infrared saunas, and rubbing beef tallow on their faces like it’s a miracle cream. Meanwhile, supplement companies make billions selling capsules that promise eternal youth.
But here’s the thing: we don’t need to chase immortality. We need to focus on healthspan—the number of years we stay active, sharp, and independent. Living longer doesn’t mean much if you can’t enjoy it.
Let’s break it down.
The Problem With the Modern Longevity Industry
For centuries, people have searched for the secret to living forever. From ancient pharaohs to modern influencers, the idea hasn’t changed much. Today’s gurus don’t wear robes. They wear lab coats on YouTube. They sell methylated vitamins, resveratrol, and supplements with science-sounding names like NMN.
Some of these people—chiropractors, Instagram influencers, even some doctors like Mark Hyman—promise more than science can deliver. What they’re selling often looks more like modern snake oil than real medicine.
Here’s a good rule of thumb: if a product claims to reverse aging and comes with a monthly subscription, it probably doesn’t work.
What Actually Works: Boring, Science-Backed Habits
Thankfully, there are simple steps you can take that do help.
- Sleep: Get 7–9 hours a night. This is when your brain clears out waste and resets.
- Exercise: Move your body. Walk, lift weights, and do balance work. It all adds up.
- Vaccinate: Shingles and COVID vaccines reduce your risk of dementia. Shingrix alone cuts it by 20%.
- Statins: The last 40 studies show that statins reduce dementia risk by up to 20%. PMID 34871380
Eat Like You Mean It: The Mediterranean Diet
One of the best-studied diets in the world is the Mediterranean diet. It’s not trendy, but it’s powerful. One large study showed that it can increase longevity by up to 9% if you stick with it. Source
Here’s how it works:
- Red Meat: Limit to 4 ounces a day. More than that raises your risk for cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. After 3 ounces, your body stops absorbing more iron anyway.
- Olive Oil: Use it instead of butter. It’s packed with healthy fats and polyphenols like oleocanthal.
- Whole Grains & Legumes: Beans and grains reduce obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. They’re even higher in fiber than most fruits and veggies.
- Fruits & Vegetables: Eat a variety. Colorful foods mean more antioxidants and polyphenols.
- Wine: One glass. That’s 5 ounces. And yes, you still get a full Mediterranean Diet point if you don’t drink at all.
What Doesn’t Work (Even If It’s Trending)
Let’s be honest. Some things are popular, but pointless—or even harmful.
- Drinking alcohol “for your health”
- Avoiding vaccines
- Ignoring blood pressure and cholesterol
- Trusting wellness influencers with no scientific background
Remember: no supplement undoes bad habits. And no guru can out-hack the Hayflick Limit. That’s the scientific cap on how many times your cells can divide.
The Real Way to Support Your Cells
Gurus love talking about NAD and mitochondria. And yes, NAD can help your cells work better—in a lab dish. But real-life results? Meh.
Instead, support your cells with:
- Movement
- Sleep
- A mostly plant-based diet
- Not eating around the clock
If NAD really worked, I’d give it all to my 15-year-old dog.
Final Thoughts
We can’t live forever. But we can live better.
Skip the miracle pills. Stick to the basics: move, eat like a Mediterranean, treat your blood pressure, and get vaccinated. And while you’re at it, maybe adopt a senior dog. They won’t live forever, but they’ll give you everything they have.
Dr. Terry Simpson
Board-Certified Surgeon & Longevity Myth Buster
Host of the FORK U Podcast
