What is healthspan and how is it different from lifespan?

Lifespan is the total years lived. Healthspan is the portion spent in good health — free from significant chronic disease or functional decline. Extending healthspan, not just lifespan, is the primary goal of modern longevity science. Genetic testing contributes by identifying specific biological vulnerabilities years before they typically manifest clinically, enabling proactive intervention rather than reactive disease management.

What does the FOXO3 gene do and why is it associated with longevity?

FOXO3 regulates autophagy, DNA repair, oxidative stress resistance, and apoptosis — processes central to cellular longevity. The G allele of rs2802292 is among the most consistently replicated findings across global centenarian studies. FOXO3 activity is upregulated by caloric restriction, fasting, and exercise — making it a key intersection where genetic tendency and lifestyle choices directly interact to influence aging trajectory.

What are telomeres and what do they reveal about aging?

Telomeres are protective caps at chromosome ends that shorten with each cell division. Critically short telomeres trigger cellular senescence or death. Telomere length is influenced by TERT variants, oxidative stress, inflammation, and lifestyle factors including exercise and sleep quality. Telomere length is one useful aging marker, but it is most informative alongside other biological age indicators rather than as a standalone predictor of longevity or health outcomes.

What role do sirtuins play in longevity and cellular aging?

Sirtuins (SIRT1–SIRT7) regulate cellular stress response, energy metabolism, DNA repair, and epigenetic gene expression — all central to aging biology. SIRT1 is activated by caloric restriction and NAD+ availability and suppressed by excess caloric intake. SIRT1 and SIRT3 variants influence baseline efficiency of these longevity functions. NAD+ precursor supplementation (NMN, NR) is among the most studied strategies for supporting sirtuin activity as NAD+ declines with age.

How does genetics inform a personalized longevity strategy?

Longevity genetics identifies specific vulnerabilities in cardiovascular (APOE), inflammatory (IL-6, TNF-alpha), cellular stress response (FOXO3, SIRT1), mitochondrial (PPARGC1A), and DNA repair pathways. This shifts planning from generic recommendations to targeted interventions — omega-3s for cardiovascular variants, antioxidants for oxidative stress variants, structured fasting to activate FOXO3. Genetic insight is paired with regular blood testing to confirm whether interventions are producing measurable biomarker improvements.

Longevity Genetics & Healthspan | PlexusDx

Longevity & Lifespan Genetics Explained

Longevity isn't just about living longer — it's about understanding the genetic factors that influence how your body maintains itself over decades. Variants in genes related to telomere maintenance, cellular repair pathways, mitochondrial function, and longevity markers like SIRT1, APOE, and FOXO3 can reveal meaningful tendencies about how your biology is wired for the long term.

This hub contains the genetic insights from the PlexusDx Longevity & Lifespan Genetic Report — individual interpretations focused on aging pathways, cellular resilience, and the genetic markers most commonly associated with long-term health. As part of the Longevity & Healthy Aging Genetic Test (200+ total insights across four reports), results are delivered alongside the Healthy Aging, Cardiometabolic, and Methylation Pathway reports in your Results Portal.

Your DNA doesn't predict your lifespan — it gives you a biological starting point to work from.

For education and wellness purposes only — not intended to diagnose or treat any condition.

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Longevity and Lifespan

Longevity & Lifespan Genetics Explained

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