LONGEVITY & WELLNESS
The Science of Aging Well
Aging has a new playbook that draws from science to reimagine the game of living longer, better.
WORDS BY Sarah Casselman
Photography iStock
At a friend’s recent 50th birthday celebration, the number on her cake wasn’t the only age being feted. After blowing out her candles, my friend announced she recently discovered her biological age—the measure of how your body is aging based on health markers—is only 39. This Benjamin Button flex signifies a massive cultural shift in how we view aging: it’s no longer just about adding more years; it’s about adding more healthy years. In other words, healthspan.
From tech billionaire Bryan Johnson’s highly publicized quest to outsmart aging (he spends upwards of $2 million a year on tests, experimental treatments and a team of doctors) to the latest biohacks on TikTok, it’s clear longevity has sailed far beyond Ponce de León’s Fountain of Youth into the age of health optimization. The conversation has shifted from wrinkle prevention to overall well-being, and while we still want to look 40 at 60, we now strive to feel 40 at 60.
“Genetics are not your destiny,” says Dr. Kashif Irshad, medical director and co-founder of Lifespire, one of Canada’s premier longevity and preventative medicine clinics. This is the premise behind epigenetics, the science of how our lifestyle and environment can influence the way our genes are expressed. Think of your genes as a house full of light switches: we inherit the wiring, but our daily habits can help determine which switches are flipped on and which ones dim.
“Chronic diseases have a very long runway, and there are clear markers that identify patients who are trending toward disease,” says Dr. Irshad. It’s in that space between healthy and sick where a new wave of innovation in health care is taking shape. It’s predictive, preventative and personalized. And it starts with knowing your numbers on a whole new level.
← The $2M Question Tech billionaire Bryan Johnson has become the face of extreme longevity science, spending upwards of $2 million a year on tests and experimental treatments in pursuit of a longer healthspan. He’s pictured here at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills in 2021.
Photography Getty
The Biomarker Keys Chances are you’ve probably had biomarkers measured for years without realizing it. Think: your annual cholesterol or thyroid test. These are measured indicators that provide clues to what’s happening inside your body. But longevity medicine is expanding what’s tested in the typical blood panel to include biomarkers that serve as key indicators of concerns such as cancer risk, metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
At Lifespire, the medical team conducts up to 150 initial health assessments, ranging from 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and coronary artery calcium scoring to physical performance measures like grip strength and VO₂ max testing (exercising on a cardio machine while breathing through a monitoring mask), which provide insight into cardiovascular fitness.
“We can predict, based on these biomarkers, what your life is going to be and how you’re going to age,” Dr. Irshad claims. “We structure your longevity exercise program based on these numbers and then retest. It gamifies your longevity journey. We give you tactics to achieve those goals—that’s where the change is going to happen,” he says.
The exercise test is just part of the comprehensive longevity program membership at Lifespire, and the price ranges from $2,995 up to $5,700 depending on whether you choose the health snapshot or the annual membership. While the price tag puts these services beyond many budgets, it also reflects a growing belief that the best return on investment may be time itself.
For an even more complete picture, some longevity enthusiasts are turning to full-body MRI scans. Toronto clinic Simply MRI offers a Whole-Body MRI package that uses magnetic resonance imaging to detect hundreds of potential abnormalities, including some cancers, aneurysms and musculoskeletal problems, before symptoms appear. Priced between $1,500 and $2,500, it’s not covered by OHIP, but can be claimed through a health spending account.
Photography Magnific
The Metabolic Game-Changers There might have been a time when you could’ve easily subsisted on five hours of sleep, a few cups of coffee and some mindless snacking, but midlife has a way of upending your body’s abilities. Your energy, recovery and even the way your body responds to food can start to shift—and metabolism is at the centre of it all.
“Age is a risk factor for metabolic dysfunction, and as you get older the pancreas doesn’t function as well as when you’re younger,” says Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss, co-founder of Lume Women + Health, a women’s health clinic in Toronto. Because we lose muscle with age, our ability to process sugar efficiently declines, making muscle preservation a key part of increasing healthspan.
But muscle isn’t the only piece of the metabolic puzzle. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), once reserved for people with diabetes, have now been embraced by non-diabetic health seekers, like tennis G.O.A.T. Serena Williams and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Worn as a small sensor on the arm, these devices track glucose levels around the clock and reveal how our daily habits—what we eat, how we move, sleep and handle stress—can affect blood sugar, giving us information to make proactive health choices.
While CGMs are helping us better understand our metabolism as we age, some researchers believe GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Wegovy) may also hold promise in the longevity conversation.
“They are revolutionary,” says Dr. Louis-Bayliss. “I think it’s the most dramatic breakthrough in terms of pharmacology that I will probably see in my lifetime.” Originally developed to manage diabetes, these prescription medications have found a much broader audience thanks to their impact on weight loss and appetite.
Although it’s still somewhat early and further studies are required, there have also been interesting findings about the link between GLP-1 use and cardiovascular health.
“We’ve never studied GLP-1s from the perspective of longevity or how they correlate to living longer in good health, but we do have studies that show mortality benefit, meaning that when GLP-1 medications are used in individuals who are struggling with either type-2 diabetes or obesity, there is a benefit from a mortality perspective and it’s by about 13 per cent,” Dr. Louis-Bayliss says.
In terms of protection, she says, the best medications to provide prevention of heart attack and stroke were semaglutides—like Ozempic and Wegovy—in people with type-2 diabetes and obesity, although she points out that it’s not clear if these benefits extend to those who don’t have these pre-existing conditions. “But certainly in terms of lengthening life, the evidence is there for GLP-1s in terms of heart protection,” Dr. Louis-Bayliss says.
AI, Aging and the Smart Home
Forget keeping up with the Joneses. When it comes to growing older and living independently for longer, it’s about keeping up with The Jetsons. And the smartest innovation may be the home itself.
Age tech (technologies and devices designed to help people age well at home) is helping create a smarter, safer home by learning a person’s routines and picking up on subtle changes that otherwise might go unnoticed, from sleep and mobility to missed medications, and even early signs of cognitive decline.
“Allowing someone to actively stay as engaged as possible, both cognitively and physically, is critical in maintaining good health and having independence,” says Dr. Alex Mihailidis, a professor in the department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy and director of the AgeTech Launch Pad at the University of Toronto. He sees robots like ElliQ (an AI-powered companion designed specifically for older adults to help them stay supported at home) as another tech tool for healthy aging, enhancing daily life as a complement to human relationships. As for what’s next, it may be technology that ages with us.
“There would no longer be a stigma around using it because you’re older or you have dementia,” says Dr. Mihailidis. “It would simply be a technology that has been with you for your entire adult life, if not earlier, adapting and changing to your needs—a natural part of the way we live.”
Hormones: The Next Frontier The name may have shifted, but the bigger change is how we’re talking about it: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), often still called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), has entered a new chapter shaped by changing medical perspectives, evolving research and a deeper understanding of women’s health. This marks a meaningful shift from how the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study—which reported higher risks of heart disease, stroke and blood clots, along with a higher risk of breast cancer in women taking estrogen plus progestogen—was understood at the time. Those findings shaped a generation of caution. Today, the research paints a much more nuanced picture.
“Hormone therapy is moving away from a narrow decision based only on a woman’s age or whether she is having hot flashes, toward a fuller picture of her long-term health: her bones, her heart, her metabolism, her brain and her overall quality of life,” says Dr. Kristy Prouse MD, FRCSC (OB/GYN) and chief medical advisor of women’s health at Science&Humans, Canada’s largest digital hormone health platform. And because hormones are constantly in flux, this is also where personalized treatment is crucial for maximum effect and safety.
Photography iStock
When a woman starts hormone therapy early, around the time of menopause rather than years later, it appears to be better for her heart.
Women who receive hormone therapy with Science&Humans are closely monitored, closely tested and routinely adjusted to ensure they’re receiving the most benefit from the treatment. “The shift is really about treating the woman at the right time of her life,” Dr. Prouse says, and pairing it with a holistic view of her overall health. (The platform also offers complimentary wellness coaching for all members.)
And when it comes to the heart, the research is still evolving. “When a woman starts hormone therapy early, around the time of menopause rather than years later, it appears to be better for her heart,” says Dr. Prouse. “Analyses of women who begin in that early window suggest lower rates of heart disease and longer survival, though hormone therapy is not prescribed for heart protection and the evidence is still evolving.” This is often referred to as the “timing hypothesis.”
Even with today’s more advanced testing and increasingly personalized care, we’re still learning how a woman’s own biology can shape her experience with hormone therapy. This is where Dr. Prouse sees the next big discovery unfolding.
“The unanswered question, and the one I find most exciting, is whether we will one day be able to look at a woman’s genetics and epigenetics up front and predict how responsive she will be, so we can tailor her therapy from the start instead of by trial and adjustment. The research showing that these genetic and epigenetic differences matter is real, but it’s still early.”
→ Hot, Cold, Repeat At Othership’s Toronto and New York locations, members cycle through sauna, cold plunge and breathwork rituals designed to build resilience and regulate the nervous system. No tech or alcohol allowed—just the ritual itself.
Photography Graydon Herriott
Taking the Plunge The latest wellness trend on everyone’s morning ritual calendar is one that’s touted for regulating inflammation, aiding muscle recovery, sharpening focus and mood, and strengthening the body’s response to stress. The cold plunge—a jarring dip into icy waters after a stint in a hot sauna—was once reserved for elite athletes, but is now so mainstream in the longevity movement that it’s being promoted by the likes of Lady Gaga, Hailey Bieber and Amy Poehler.
Inside world-class wellness space Othership, which has locations in Toronto and New York, there’s no tech or alcohol allowed. But the appeal goes far beyond unplugging. “Members are increasingly thinking about stress, resilience, sleep, emotional well-being and connection as key drivers of long-term health,” says Robbie Bent, co-founder and CEO of Othership, who has helped create a devoted community around its signature sober raves and hot-cold guided rituals that combine sauna, cold immersion and breathwork.
“It isn’t just about living longer, it’s about feeling better throughout your life,” he says. “Connection, community and nervous system regulation have an enormous impact on overall well-being.” Indeed, in a world built around always being “on,” intentionally slowing down is a powerful counterbalance as we age.
Therein lies the most interesting shift in this longevity movement—that we’re no longer just counting the years behind us; we’re thinking more intentionally about the years ahead. And if all this science and innovation helps us stay healthier for longer, maybe the reward is simple: more birthdays worth celebrating.
@heapsestrin | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
© 2026 Heaps Estrin Real Estate Team
Photography iStock
At a friend’s recent 50th birthday celebration, the number on her cake wasn’t the only age being feted. After blowing out her candles, my friend announced she recently discovered her biological age—the measure of how your body is aging based on health markers—is only 39. This Benjamin Button flex signifies a massive cultural shift in how we view aging: it’s no longer just about adding more years; it’s about adding more healthy years. In other words, healthspan.
From tech billionaire Bryan Johnson’s highly publicized quest to outsmart aging (he spends upwards of $2 million a year on tests, experimental treatments and a team of doctors) to the latest biohacks on TikTok, it’s clear longevity has sailed far beyond Ponce de León’s Fountain of Youth into the age of health optimization. The conversation has shifted from wrinkle prevention to overall well-being, and while we still want to look 40 at 60, we now strive to feel 40 at 60.
“Genetics are not your destiny,” says Dr. Kashif Irshad, medical director and co-founder of Lifespire, one of Canada’s premier longevity and preventative medicine clinics. This is the premise behind epigenetics, the science of how our lifestyle and environment can influence the way our genes are expressed. Think of your genes as a house full of light switches: we inherit the wiring, but our daily habits can help determine which switches are flipped on and which ones dim.
“Chronic diseases have a very long runway, and there are clear markers that identify patients who are trending toward disease,” says Dr. Irshad. It’s in that space between healthy and sick where a new wave of innovation in health care is taking shape. It’s predictive, preventative and personalized. And it starts with knowing your numbers on a whole new level.
The $2M Question Tech billionaire Bryan Johnson has become the face of extreme longevity science, spending upwards of $2 million a year on tests and experimental treatments in pursuit of a longer healthspan. He’s pictured here at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills in 2021.
↓
Photography Getty
The Biomarker Keys Chances are you’ve probably had biomarkers measured for years without realizing it. Think: your annual cholesterol or thyroid test. These are measured indicators that provide clues to what’s happening inside your body. But longevity medicine is expanding what’s tested in the typical blood panel to include biomarkers that serve as key indicators of concerns such as cancer risk, metabolic dysfunction and cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases.
At Lifespire, the medical team conducts up to 150 initial health assessments, ranging from 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and coronary artery calcium scoring to physical performance measures like grip strength and VO₂ max testing (exercising on a cardio machine while breathing through a monitoring mask), which provide insight into cardiovascular fitness.
“We can predict, based on these biomarkers, what your life is going to be and how you’re going to age,” Dr. Irshad claims. “We structure your longevity exercise program based on these numbers and then retest. It gamifies your longevity journey. We give you tactics to achieve those goals—that’s where the change is going to happen,” he says.
The exercise test is just part of the comprehensive longevity program membership at Lifespire, and the price ranges from $2,995 up to $5,700 depending on whether you choose the health snapshot or the annual membership. While the price tag puts these services beyond many budgets, it also reflects a growing belief that the best return on investment may be time itself.
For an even more complete picture, some longevity enthusiasts are turning to full-body MRI scans. Toronto clinic Simply MRI offers a Whole-Body MRI package that uses magnetic resonance imaging to detect hundreds of potential abnormalities, including some cancers, aneurysms and musculoskeletal problems, before symptoms appear. Priced between $1,500 and $2,500, it’s not covered by OHIP, but can be claimed through a health spending account.
Photography Magnific
The Metabolic Game-Changers There might have been a time when you could’ve easily subsisted on five hours of sleep, a few cups of coffee and some mindless snacking, but midlife has a way of upending your body’s abilities. Your energy, recovery and even the way your body responds to food can start to shift—and metabolism is at the centre of it all.
“Age is a risk factor for metabolic dysfunction, and as you get older the pancreas doesn’t function as well as when you’re younger,” says Dr. Amy Louis-Bayliss, co-founder of Lume Women + Health, a women’s health clinic in Toronto. Because we lose muscle with age, our ability to process sugar efficiently declines, making muscle preservation a key part of increasing healthspan.
But muscle isn’t the only piece of the metabolic puzzle. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs), once reserved for people with diabetes, have now been embraced by non-diabetic health seekers, like tennis G.O.A.T. Serena Williams and CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Worn as a small sensor on the arm, these devices track glucose levels around the clock and reveal how our daily habits—what we eat, how we move, sleep and handle stress—can affect blood sugar, giving us information to make proactive health choices.
While CGMs are helping us better understand our metabolism as we age, some researchers believe GLP-1 medications (like Ozempic and Wegovy) may also hold promise in the longevity conversation.
“They are revolutionary,” says Dr. Louis-Bayliss. “I think it’s the most dramatic breakthrough in terms of pharmacology that I will probably see in my lifetime.” Originally developed to manage diabetes, these prescription medications have found a much broader audience thanks to their impact on weight loss and appetite.
Although it’s still somewhat early and further studies are required, there have also been interesting findings about the link between GLP-1 use and cardiovascular health.
“We’ve never studied GLP-1s from the perspective of longevity or how they correlate to living longer in good health, but we do have studies that show mortality benefit, meaning that when GLP-1 medications are used in individuals who are struggling with either type-2 diabetes or obesity, there is a benefit from a mortality perspective and it’s by about 13 per cent,” Dr. Louis-Bayliss says.
In terms of protection, she says, the best medications to provide prevention of heart attack and stroke were semaglutides—like Ozempic and Wegovy—in people with type-2 diabetes and obesity, although she points out that it’s not clear if these benefits extend to those who don’t have these pre-existing conditions. “But certainly in terms of lengthening life, the evidence is there for GLP-1s in terms of heart protection,” Dr. Louis-Bayliss says.
AI, Aging and the Smart Home
Forget keeping up with the Joneses. When it comes to growing older and living independently for longer, it’s about keeping up with The Jetsons. And the smartest innovation may be the home itself.
Age tech (technologies and devices designed to help people age well at home) is helping create a smarter, safer home by learning a person’s routines and picking up on subtle changes that otherwise might go unnoticed, from sleep and mobility to missed medications, and even early signs of cognitive decline.
“Allowing someone to actively stay as engaged as possible, both cognitively and physically, is critical in maintaining good health and having independence,” says Dr. Alex Mihailidis, a professor in the department of Occupational Science & Occupational Therapy and director of the AgeTech Launch Pad at the University of Toronto. He sees robots like ElliQ (an AI-powered companion designed specifically for older adults to help them stay supported at home) as another tech tool for healthy aging, enhancing daily life as a complement to human relationships. As for what’s next, it may be technology that ages with us.
“There would no longer be a stigma around using it because you’re older or you have dementia,” says Dr. Mihailidis. “It would simply be a technology that has been with you for your entire adult life, if not earlier, adapting and changing to your needs—a natural part of the way we live.”
Photography iStock
Hormones: The Next Frontier The name may have shifted, but the bigger change is how we’re talking about it: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), often still called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), has entered a new chapter shaped by changing medical perspectives, evolving research and a deeper understanding of women’s health. This marks a meaningful shift from how the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study—which reported higher risks of heart disease, stroke and blood clots, along with a higher risk of breast cancer in women taking estrogen plus progestogen—was understood at the time. Those findings shaped a generation of caution. Today, the research paints a much more nuanced picture.
“Hormone therapy is moving away from a narrow decision based only on a woman’s age or whether she is having hot flashes, toward a fuller picture of her long-term health: her bones, her heart, her metabolism, her brain and her overall quality of life,” says Dr. Kristy Prouse MD, FRCSC (OB/GYN) and chief medical advisor of women’s health at Science&Humans, Canada’s largest digital hormone health platform. And because hormones are constantly in flux, this is also where personalized treatment is crucial for maximum effect and safety.
When a woman starts hormone therapy early, around the time of menopause rather than years later, it appears to be better for her heart.
Hormones: The Next Frontier The name may have shifted, but the bigger change is how we’re talking about it: Menopausal Hormone Therapy (MHT), often still called Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), has entered a new chapter shaped by changing medical perspectives, evolving research and a deeper understanding of women’s health. This marks a meaningful shift from how the 2002 Women’s Health Initiative study—which reported higher risks of heart disease, stroke and blood clots, along with a higher risk of breast cancer in women taking estrogen plus progestogen—was understood at the time. Those findings shaped a generation of caution. Today, the research paints a much more nuanced picture.
“Hormone therapy is moving away from a narrow decision based only on a woman’s age or whether she is having hot flashes, toward a fuller picture of her long-term health: her bones, her heart, her metabolism, her brain and her overall quality of life,” says Dr. Kristy Prouse MD, FRCSC (OB/GYN) and chief medical advisor of women’s health at Science&Humans, Canada’s largest digital hormone health platform. And because hormones are constantly in flux, this is also where personalized treatment is crucial for maximum effect and safety.
Hot, Cold, Repeat At Othership’s Toronto and New York locations, members cycle through sauna, cold plunge and breathwork rituals designed to build resilience and regulate the nervous system. No tech or alcohol allowed—just the ritual itself.
↓
Photography Graydon Herriott
Taking the Plunge The latest wellness trend on everyone’s morning ritual calendar is one that’s touted for regulating inflammation, aiding muscle recovery, sharpening focus and mood, and strengthening the body’s response to stress. The cold plunge—a jarring dip into icy waters after a stint in a hot sauna—was once reserved for elite athletes, but is now so mainstream in the longevity movement that it’s being promoted by the likes of Lady Gaga, Hailey Bieber and Amy Poehler.
Inside world-class wellness space Othership, which has locations in Toronto and New York, there’s no tech or alcohol allowed. But the appeal goes far beyond unplugging. “Members are increasingly thinking about stress, resilience, sleep, emotional well-being and connection as key drivers of long-term health,” says Robbie Bent, co-founder and CEO of Othership, who has helped create a devoted community around its signature sober raves and hot-cold guided rituals that combine sauna, cold immersion and breathwork.
“It isn’t just about living longer, it’s about feeling better throughout your life,” he says. “Connection, community and nervous system regulation have an enormous impact on overall well-being.” Indeed, in a world built around always being “on,” intentionally slowing down is a powerful counterbalance as we age.
Therein lies the most interesting shift in this longevity movement—that we’re no longer just counting the years behind us; we’re thinking more intentionally about the years ahead. And if all this science and innovation helps us stay healthier for longer, maybe the reward is simple: more birthdays worth celebrating.
@heapsestrin | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
© 2026 Heaps Estrin Real Estate Team
@heapsestrin | Privacy Policy | Sitemap
© 2026 Heaps Estrin Real Estate Team