AIs asked about lifespan and healthspan (using VitaminDWiki)

15 Ways to Increase Lifespan & Healthspan Perplexity AI - Gemini 3 Pro

Summary

The overarching theme across these sources is that a foundation of vitamin D (≥40 ng/mL), omega-3s, and magnesium — combined with healthy lifestyle practices — represents a well-supported, accessible strategy for extending both how long and how well you live.

Maintain High Vitamin D Levels (>40 ng/mL) Having a Vitamin D level above 40 ng/mL is associated with longer life and reduced risk of all-cause mortality. Genetic analysis suggests that individuals with high Vitamin D levels or good Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) genes live longer. Supplementation (e.g., 2,000–5,000 IU daily) can slow telomere shortening and reduce biological age by approximately 3 years. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/live-longer-if-have-more-than-40-ng-of-vitamin-d-gene-analysis-of-10500-people/
Magnesium Supplementation (Especially Glycinate or Taurate) Magnesium is essential for DNA repair enzymes and reducing "inflamm-aging" (chronic inflammation associated with aging). Deficiency is common (over 40% of the population) and accelerates aging. Specific forms like Magnesium Glycinate (for sleep and antioxidant support) and Magnesium Taurate (for cardiovascular health) are recommended by longevity experts. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/the-one-supplement-all-longevity-experts-are-taking-magnesium-video-and-transcript/
Omega-3 Fatty Acids Regular Omega-3 intake is one of the top three supplements for regenerating stem cells and extending life. Supplementation can slow biological aging by 3–4 months and, when combined with Vitamin D and exercise, significantly improves healthspan. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/top-3-supplements-to-regenerate-stem-cells-and-live-longer-vitamin-d-omega-3-magnesium-video/
Quitting Smoking This is the single most impactful lifestyle intervention, potentially adding 6–10 years to lifespan. Quitting before age 35 can restore nearly a full decade of life expectancy, but benefits exist even for those who quit later in life. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Regular Exercise and Strength Training Physical activity can add 0.4 to 7 years to lifespan. Combining moderate aerobic exercise (150–300 minutes/week) with strength training is crucial for preserving muscle mass (preventing sarcopenia) and reducing cardiovascular mortality by up to 38%. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Mediterranean Diet Adhering to a plant-rich Mediterranean diet is the top dietary pattern for longevity, potentially adding 2–8 years to life. It emphasizes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish, which significantly reduce frailty and early death risk. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Optimize Sleep (7-9 Hours) Consistently sleeping 7–9 hours per night reduces the risk of premature death. Sleep regularity is as important as duration; high quality sleep aids in DNA repair and metabolic regulation, reducing mortality risk by up to 15%. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Maintain a Healthy Weight Obesity can reduce life expectancy by 3.5 to 9 years depending on severity. Maintaining a healthy weight throughout life is a key factor in extending healthspan and preventing chronic diseases like diabetes. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Social Connection High levels of social engagement are associated with a 42% lower mortality risk. Strong relationships are among the most consistent predictors of longevity, reducing inflammation and slowing biological aging. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Sauna Use Frequent sauna bathing (4–7 times per week) is linked to a 40% reduction in all-cause mortality and a 48% reduction in sudden cardiovascular death. It mimics moderate exercise and induces beneficial stress responses (hormesis). Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Intermittent Fasting or Caloric Restriction Caloric restriction (without malnutrition) has extended lifespan in animals by 10–35%. In humans, intermittent fasting or fasting-mimicking diets can reduce biological age by approximately 2.5 years by improving insulin sensitivity and autophagy. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Dental Health Good oral hygiene, such as brushing at night and daily flossing, is associated with a 20–50% reduction in mortality risk. Poor dental health is strongly linked to higher risks of cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer's. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Blood Pressure Control Intensive blood pressure control (keeping systolic BP <130 mmHg) can add 1–3 years to life expectancy, particularly in adults over age 50. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Taurine Often taken as Magnesium Taurate or a separate supplement, Taurine has been shown to increase lifespan in mice by 10–12% and improve healthspan. Levels of taurine naturally decline with age. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/the-one-supplement-all-longevity-experts-are-taking-magnesium-video-and-transcript/
Epigenetic Lifestyle Modification While longevity is approximately 55% genetic, 45% is determined by lifestyle choices that modify gene expression (epigenetics). Adopting a "longevity lifestyle" (diet, exercise, stress management) can add 7 years of life free from major disease. Reference: https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/longevity-is-a-function-of-genes-your-lifestyle-can-greatly-improve-it/

Claude AI Opus 4.6 Extended Feb 2026

Here are key factors that increase lifespan and/or healthspan, drawn from those VitaminDWiki references:

Vitamin D levels above 40 ng/mL are associated with longer lifespan. A gene analysis of 10,500 people found significantly greater longevity at higher vitamin D levels.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/live-longer-if-have-more-than-40-ng-of-vitamin-d-gene-analysis-of-10500-people/

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/you-will-live-longer-if-you-have-a-high-level-of-vitamin-d/
The combination of Vitamin D + Omega-3 + Magnesium is supported by many studies as a longevity-promoting triad, with each reinforcing the others' benefits.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/longevity-and-healthspan-increased-by-vitamin-d-omega-3-magnesium-many-studies/
Omega-3 fatty acids independently extend lifespan, and the benefit is likely compounded when combined with adequate vitamin D.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/live-longer-if-high-vitamin-d-or-omega-3-probably-both/
Magnesium is the single supplement longevity experts converge on, playing roles in 300+ enzymatic reactions, DNA repair, inflammation control, and cardiovascular health.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/the-one-supplement-all-longevity-experts-are-taking-magnesium-video-and-transcript/

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/magnesium-role-in-health-and-longevity-many-studies/
Stem cell regeneration can be supported by vitamin D, omega-3, and magnesium — helping maintain the body's repair capacity with aging.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/top-3-supplements-to-regenerate-stem-cells-and-live-longer-vitamin-d-omega-3-magnesium-video/
Lifestyle factors can override genetic predisposition for longevity. Even with unfavorable longevity genes, diet, exercise, sleep, and supplementation can substantially improve outcomes.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/longevity-is-a-function-of-genes-your-lifestyle-can-greatly-improve-it/
Prioritizing healthspan over lifespan — meaning years of functional, disease-free living rather than simply total years alive — is increasingly recognized as the more meaningful goal.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/healthspan-is-more-important-than-lifespan-jama/

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/extending-health-span-is-a-better-goal-than-extending-lifespan/
Addressing vitamin D deficiency is an equity issue: low vitamin D is one reason the poor have shorter lifespans, linked to less sun exposure, poorer nutrition, and limited supplementation access.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/low-vitamin-d-is-one-reason-for-shorter-lifespan-among-the-poor/
Exercise, sleep optimization, stress management, and social connection are among the ~20 identified ways to increase healthspan alongside supplementation.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Reducing chronic inflammation — through vitamin D, omega-3s, magnesium, and anti-inflammatory dietary patterns — is a recurring mechanism across nearly all longevity interventions cited in these sources.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/longevity-and-healthspan-increased-by-vitamin-d-omega-3-magnesium-many-studies/

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/magnesium-role-in-health-and-longevity-many-studies/
Maintaining adequate nutrient status throughout life, not just in old age, appears important — the earlier deficiencies are corrected, the greater the cumulative benefit to both lifespan and healthspan.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/you-will-live-longer-if-you-have-a-high-level-of-vitamin-d/

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/
Caloric moderation and metabolic health (including blood sugar regulation, which magnesium supports) are consistently identified as healthspan extenders across multiple referenced studies.

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/20-ways-to-increase-healthspan-such-as-vitamin-d/

→ https://vitamindwiki.com/pages/magnesium-role-in-health-and-longevity-many-studies/