Juventology: The Science of Extending Youthspan and Longevity

In recent years, the field of aging research has made significant strides in understanding the complexities of the aging process. However, a new complementary field called "juventology" is emerging, which focuses on the period of life when both morbidity and mortality are very low, and organisms remain youthful, healthy, and fully functional.

Juventology, derived from the Latin word "iuventus" meaning "the age of youth," aims to understand how evolution has resulted in programs that efficiently prevent disease during the early stages of life and how these programs can be modulated and extended through dietary, pharmacological, or other interventions.

Unlike traditional aging research, which often fixates on combating free radicals and oxidative stress, juventology suggests that the most effective pro-longevity interventions induce alternate survival phases. These interventions, such as periodic fasting and calorie restriction, promote cells to enter a stress-resistant state characterized by the activation of cell protection, regeneration, and rejuvenation processes.

Juventology is fundamentally different from "aging-centered" biogerontology studies in two key aspects:

1. Alternative lifespan programs activated in response to starvation can be independent or partially independent of aging itself, allowing for the extension of healthspan and lifespan even in organisms with accelerated aging phenotypes.
2. Juventology shifts the focus from the "old age" paradigm characterized by high degrees of dysfunction and subsequent high morbidity and mortality to the period of life when morbidity and mortality are very low.

The exploration of longevity programs in model organisms has revealed a complex network of cellular responses and adaptive strategies that challenge conventional theories of aging. By understanding these processes, researchers hope to identify clinical applications that can extend the biologically youthful healthspan in humans, ultimately improving individual quality of life and potentially transforming healthcare systems.

As the field of juventology continues to grow, it presents a complementary approach to traditional gerontology, focusing on the period of life when the force of natural selection is high, and body functions remain maximized. This novel perspective offers exciting new avenues for understanding and extending the period of peak functionality in organisms, paving the way for a healthier, more vibrant future for all.

See recent publication by Valter Longo - https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fragi.2024.1379289/full