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2026.07.14

What Is Longevity? A Doctor Explains Biological Age, Tests, and Treatments

前田 陽子
Supervising Physician
Board Certified in Aesthetic Internal Medicine / Board Certified Specialist, American Society of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Yoko Maeda

To maximize your beauty, care for both the inside and outside is essential. We aim to bring advanced anti-aging treatments, such as peptide therapy common overseas, to our Japanese patients. While aesthetic medical approaches may offer more gradual results, they are crucial for building the foundation that supports beauty and youth. We combine nutritional therapy and lifestyle improvements with hormone replacement, peptide therapy, and regenerative medicine to propose personalized treatment plans. We provide long-term support for health and beauty from within.

ロンジェビティとは?を説明するアイキャッチ画像

 

Longevity is a concept that aims not only for a long lifespan, but also for aging while maintaining physical and mental health and quality of life.

 

Longevity isn’t just about living a long life—it’s about cherishing the time you have to live as healthily and authentically as possible. While it’s a term we hear often these days, many people probably wonder, “How is it different from anti-aging?” or “What can medicine do to help?”

 

At BIANCA CLINIC, we focus not only on outward appearance but also on what’s inside the body, and we approach health and beauty based on tests and medical examinations. In this article, a doctor explains what longevity is and what aesthetic medicine can do to support it.

What does the concept of longevity mean?

Longevity is not about extending one's lifespan, but rather a philosophy that values maintaining physical and mental health and cherishing the time one can live life on one's own terms.

 

生物学的年齢 銀座・表参道にあるBIANCA CLINIC ビアンカクリニック|美容外科・美容皮膚科・再生医療・美容婦人科・美容内科・医療アートメイク

It is not a term intended solely to mean “living a long life.”

"Longevity" means "a long life" in English. However, when the term is used in the fields of medicine and health, it does not simply refer to extending the number of years one lives.

 

What matters most is maintaining your physical and mental functions as much as possible as you age, so you can continue doing the activities that are important to you.

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) also emphasizes that healthy aging involves not only the absence of disease but also maintaining the functional abilities necessary for a person to live the life they desire.

The Difference Between Lifespan and Healthspan

When trying to understand longevity, it becomes easier to grasp if you consider the following two points separately.

  • Lifespan: The period from birth to death
  • Healthspan: The period during which a person can live without significant health limitations

Even if a person has a long life, they may spend a significant portion of that time dealing with severe health problems or lifestyle restrictions.

 

When it comes to longevity, it is important to focus not only on lifespan but also on healthspan—the length of time one can live in good health.

 

Therefore, the goal of longevity is not simply to appear young on the outside.

 

We take a broad view of the body's overall condition, considering factors such as sleep, nutrition, exercise, hormones, metabolism, and chronic inflammation.

What Is Biological Age, Which Is Emphasized in Longevity?

Biological age is a measure used to assess age-related changes based on the condition of cells and bodily functions, distinct from chronological age.

Chronological age and physical condition do not necessarily correspond.

Chronological age refers to the number of years that have passed since birth. Biological age, on the other hand, is a concept used to assess how the body is aging based on the condition of its cells, tissues, and metabolism.

 

Even among people of the same age, it’s not uncommon to see differences in physical fitness, sleep patterns, metabolism, and skin appearance.

 

Changes associated with aging do not occur at the same rate for everyone; they are influenced by multiple factors, such as lifestyle, environment, and physical constitution.

What Can We Learn from the Epigenetic Clock?

One method for assessing biological age is the epigenetic clock. Rather than analyzing the DNA sequence itself, this method analyzes changes related to gene function, such as DNA methylation.

 

The epigenetic clock is an indicator that estimates how the body is aging based on the state of DNA methylation.

 

However, test results do not fully reflect your physical condition, so it is important to consider them in conjunction with other test results, symptoms, and lifestyle habits.

BIANCA: What do you value most at Longevity?

At BIANCA Longevity, we assess your physical condition through medical examinations and develop personalized treatment plans based on insights from aesthetic medicine and regenerative medicine.
At Bianca Clinic, when it comes to longevity, we make it a point not to base our approach solely on a single number: "age."

 

We don’t just look at physical changes; we also assess nutritional status, hormonal balance, biological age, and skin condition, and consider treatment options tailored to each individual’s goals and physical condition.

 

At Bianca Clinic, we first use biological age tests, blood tests, and other methods to assess your current condition as thoroughly as possible.

 

Based on that, we combine insights from aesthetic medicine, regenerative medicine, cosmetic dermatology, and cosmetic surgery to determine the necessary treatment plan.

 

The purpose of the examination is not simply to look at the results and label someone as “young” or “old.” The numbers serve as a reference for reviewing lifestyle habits and determining whether treatment is necessary.

 

It is important to understand the characteristics and limitations of the test and to discuss the treatment plan with your doctor.

What can you do at BIANCA Longevity?

At BIANCA Longevity, we begin with an evaluation and then individually consider options such as stem cell therapy, IV and injection therapies, and cosmetic medical treatments.

 

BIANCA Longevity is not a term that refers to a single treatment. It is an approach that involves assessing your current physical condition and considering multiple options based on your goals and test results.

 

At BIANCA Longevity, we offer a wide range of services, including biological age testing, regenerative medicine, cosmetic internal medicine treatments, and IV and injection therapies. Treatment plans are not predetermined.

 

The specific tests and treatments to be considered will vary depending on your concerns, your health condition, and the results of your doctor's examination.

 

At BIANCA Longevity, we do not assume that you will undergo all treatments at once. First, we listen to your concerns and learn about your lifestyle habits; after conducting any necessary tests, we then determine the order of priority.

 

In some cases, we may combine different treatments, while in others, we may adjust your diet, exercise routine, or sleep habits based on your test results. For detailed information on our treatments and precautions, please visit the BIANCA Longevity treatment page.

 

Details on BIANCA Longevity

What You Should Know Before Considering Longevity Medicine

Longevity medicine does not guarantee the halting of aging or the extension of lifespan; it is necessary to consider lifestyle habits and medical care in combination.

 

Longevity is not a concept that suggests a single treatment can halt aging or reverse chronological age. Nor does it guarantee that specific tests or procedures will extend one’s lifespan.

 

The foundation for aging healthily lies in daily lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, sleep, and not smoking. Medical examinations and treatments are not substitutes for these habits; rather, they are options for assessing your current condition in greater detail and determining the necessary course of action.

 

Tests, including those that measure biological age, have their limitations. The figures calculated from these tests are estimates and do not provide definitive predictions of future health.

 

It is important not to assume that changes in numerical values alone indicate treatment effectiveness, but to evaluate the patient’s condition and general test results as well.

 

Don’t forget not to get swayed by word-of-mouth from those around you—such as “A celebrity recommended that” or “A friend tried that and looked younger.” Be sure to choose based on whether it suits your goals and health condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

We answer common questions that arise when considering the Longevity program, such as the best time to start and the role of the screening.

 

BIANCA CLINICの前田医師のカウンセリング風景

Q. At what age should you start taking Longevity?

A. There is no set starting age. When you start to worry about your future health, or when you notice changes such as feeling more easily fatigued, changes in your sleep patterns, or changes in your body shape, that’s a good time to reassess your lifestyle and physical condition.

Q. Can I just get the biological age test?

A. Yes, that is possible. A biological age test is one of the options offered by BIANCA Longevity. One approach is to first take the test to assess your current condition and then, based on the results, consider lifestyle changes or treatment options.

Q. Can a biological age test replace a general health checkup?

A. It is not a substitute for a general health checkup. A biological age test estimates age-related indicators, such as DNA methylation. Its purpose differs from that of a general health checkup, which aims to detect diseases at an early stage.

Q. If my biological age is higher than my chronological age, does that mean I have a health problem?

A. Even if test results indicate a level higher than what is expected for the person’s chronological age, this alone is not sufficient to diagnose a disease. Since results can vary depending on the testing method, a doctor will evaluate the findings in conjunction with symptoms, lifestyle habits, and blood test results.

Q. Is it better to get all of the treatments?

A. You do not need to undergo every treatment. Based on your test results, concerns, and medical history, we will consider the most appropriate options first. In some cases, we may start by reviewing your lifestyle habits rather than proceeding with treatment.

BIANCA: Let’s start by understanding your current physical condition with Longevity.

Longevity is not simply about living a long life; it is a philosophy focused on aging while maintaining physical and mental health and a high quality of life.

 

Therefore, it is important to understand your current state of health and consider the lifestyle habits and medical care you need from a long-term perspective.

 

At BIANCA Longevity, we evaluate options such as cosmetic medicine, regenerative medicine, and IV and injection therapies based on test results—including biological age testing—and a consultation with a physician.

 

Since each diagnostic test and treatment has its own characteristics and limitations, it is important to choose the approach that is best suited to each individual.

 

If you’d like to understand your current physical condition and think about your future health and beauty, please consult with a doctor during a consultation at BIANCA CLINIC.

 

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