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How to Thrive as You Age The science and shared secrets of longevity
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How to Thrive as You Age

The science and secrets of longevity
A generic drug that's used to treat transplant patients has been shown to extend the life span of some animals.

A generic drug that's used to treat transplant patients has been shown to extend the life span of some animals. Guido Mieth/Getty Images hide caption

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Guido Mieth/Getty Images

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Rapamycin may slow aging. Here's one way the drug will be tested

Longevity researchers are taking a generic drug they think may help extend people's lives. Now a dentist is testing if rapamycin stops gum disease — a canary in the coal mine for age-related diseases.

Anti-aging drug Rapamycin to prevent gum disease 

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Sung Ihm Son fell into a depression when her husband died. Making new friends and taking classes like dance and art at GenSpace helped her feel happy again.

Sung Ihm Son fell into a depression when her husband died. Making new friends and taking classes like dance and art at GenSpace in Los Angeles helped her feel happy again. Allison Aubrey/NPR hide caption

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More Americans are living longer. Here’s a place that helps people thrive

A center started by Wallis Annenberg in the Koreatown neighborhood of Los Angeles is creating a sense of community for older people who aim to keep learning and growing as they age.

GenSpace aims to re-set what it feels like to get old

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Step aside BMI, body composition tests are on the rise. Here's what to know
Maria Fabrizio

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Step aside BMI, body composition tests are on the rise. Here's what to know

If you dread getting on a scale to calculate your body mass index, there’s a good reason to ignore the measure. Body composition tests are an increasingly popular way to gauge health. Here’s why they're better than BMI.

Body composition tests are more useful than BMI

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Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

A large new study shows people who bike have less knee pain and arthritis than those who do not. PamelaJoeMcFarlane/Getty Images hide caption

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Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

New research shows lifelong bikers have healthier knees, less pain and a longer lifespan, compared to people who've never biked. This adds to the evidence that cycling promotes healthy aging.

Like to bike? Your knees will thank you and you may live longer, too

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Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

Climbing stairs is a good way to get quick bursts of aerobic exercise, says cardiologist Dr. Carlin Long. lingqi xie/Getty Images hide caption

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Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

A new study shows people who are in the habit of climbing stairs are less likely to die from heart disease compared to those who don't. Stair climbers also had a slight boost in longevity.

Elevator or stairs? Your choice could boost longevity, study finds

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A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works
Venca-Stastny/Getty Images

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A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works

Studies suggest people who take metformin for diabetes may be at lower risk for cancer, heart disease and dementia. Now researchers aim to test if it prevents age-related diseases in healthy people.

A cheap drug may slow down aging. A study will determine if it works

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Got tinnitus? A device that tickles the tongue helps this musician find relief

After using the Lenire device for an hour each day for 12 weeks, Victoria Banks says her tinnitus is "barely noticeable." David Petrelli/Victoria Banks hide caption

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David Petrelli/Victoria Banks

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Got tinnitus? A device that tickles the tongue helps this musician find relief

More than 25 million adults in the U.S. have tinnitus, a condition that causes ringing or buzzing in the ears. An FDA approved device that stimulates the tongue, helped 84% of people who tried it.

Got tinnitus? A device that tickles the tongue helps this musician find relief

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U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

The U.S. ranks higher in the world happiness report when it comes to people aged 60 and older. Thomas Barwick/Getty Images hide caption

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U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

A new happiness report finds sharp declines in well-being among adolescents and young adults in the U.S. But the picture is better for people aged 60 and older, marking a striking generational divide.

U.S. drops in new global happiness ranking. One age group bucks the trend

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Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?

Strength training is good for everyone, but women who train regularly get a significantly higher boost in longevity than men. Gary Yeowell/Getty Images hide caption

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Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?

Strength training is good for everyone. But women who train regularly, reduce their risk of death from heart disease significantly. And here are 5 other hidden benefits of building muscle.

Women who do strength training live longer. How much is enough?

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This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

A plant-based diet is not just good for your health, it's good for the planet. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images hide caption

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This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

A new study finds swapping half of your typical red meat intake for plant protein, reduces your diet-related carbon footprint by 25% and may also your boost lifespan.

This diet swap can cut your carbon footprint and boost longevity

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Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

This tuna, chickpea and parmesan salad bowl packs a protein punch, which is crucial for building muscle strength. Allison Aubrey/NPR hide caption

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Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

We start to lose muscle in our 30s, and the loss accelerates with age, putting us at risk of frailty later in life. But what you eat — specifically how much protein — is a big part of the solution.

Millions of women are 'under-muscled.' These foods help build strength

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You can order a test to find out your biological age. Is it worth it?
Maria Fabrizio

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You can order a test to find out your biological age. Is it worth it?

Learning your DNA age sounds intriguing. But researchers caution the results might make you nervous. And they don't tell you much about what steps to take next.

You can order a test to find out your biological age. Is it worth it?

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Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down
Maria Fabrizio/NPR

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Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down

Longevity research is booming. Scientists are looking for ways to target the basic biology of aging. And here's the exciting part: Our biological age appears to be malleable.

Scientists can tell how fast you're aging. Now, the trick is to slow it down

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