Today, as humans we live twice as long as our ancestors did as recently as 200 years ago. This is no accident. As technology and science both continue to advance at a rapid speed, it's now possible to live a fulfilled and healthy life for much, much longer.

In fact, there are a number of new and emerging advancements in the healthcare sector that serve as very exciting prospects for those looking to attain a longer lifespan. Levels of longevity that would have at one point been completely unheard of.

1. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy

You might have heard of hyperbaric oxygen therapy before. That's because it is utilized by superstar athletes such as Michael Phelps and Lebron James. But what is it exactly?

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can't exactly be called a new trend in healthcare, but it's only in recent years that it's been recognized as a treatment that can help promote longevity. The therapy was first used in the US in the early 20th century.

It involves laying inside a special chamber that allows you to breathe in pure oxygen. Air pressure levels inside the chamber are between 1.5 and 3 times higher than average. The goal is to get more oxygen into the blood so it can repair tissues and restore normal body function.

This type of therapy can help the body's cells to repair themselves. It can also aid sleep, heal illnesses, and can lead to sharpened mental clarity.

2. Discoveries Around Nutrition

The more scientists learn about nutrition, the more important it appears to be to your general wellbeing. Scientists are always looking at what makes certain people live longer than others, and this research led them to identify areas known as Blue Zones around the world.

A Blue Zone is an area in which the population tends to live much longer than the average lifespan. There are 7 officially designated Blue Zones. These are:

• Ikaria, Greece
• Okinawa, Japan
• Ogliastra, Sardinia
• Loma Linda, California
• Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Scientists began to study these zones and came to discover that diet played a big role in the health and wellbeing of the people there. If you want to take a leaf out of the book of these exceedingly healthy communities, here are some tips to follow.

• Eat mostly plants-especially beans-and eat meat rarely
• Minimize or eliminate alcohol consumption
• Stop eating when your stomach feels 80% full

Good nutrition can reduce your risk of cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer's, obesity, and a range of other conditions.

3. Machine Learning for Early Detection

Of course, one of the biggest things standing in between many humans and longevity is the development of unexpected diseases. While healthy lifestyle choices and nutrition decisions can help to stave off diseases to a certain degree, these things can't guarantee they won't occur. Diseases such as cancer can affect even seemingly healthy people.

So, with that being the case, what hope does the average person have? As it happens, early detection is one of the most important factors determining recovery rates in lots of diseases. Scientists have now engineered machines that can facilitate this all-important early detection.

You might have heard of the man whose Apple watch predicted his heart attack. While all such incidences aren't as sensational and simple as this, it's a real-world example of this type of technology in action.

As well as this, automation in laboratories has also allowed for major advances in the field of medicine and diagnostics. The use of robotics and machine learning in labs frees up time for scientists to research and make further groundbreaking discoveries.

4. Microbiome Therapies

In the past few years, there's been an increased emphasis on good gut health and the huge impact it can have on our bodies and general health. It turns out that gut health can affect everything from our metabolism to our skin and even our mood. What's more, it can heighten the risk of developing age-related diseases such as diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer's, and cardiovascular disease.

It's only recently we've come to realize how far-reaching its effects can be. This has led to a newfound interest in the field of microbiome therapies. Microbiomes refer to the populations of microorganisms that live on and in our bodies (including in our gut).

There are several burgeoning treatments that are looking like they could be extremely beneficial in terms of extending the lifespan of the average human. One, in particular, is the recently FDA-approved treatment for type 2 diabetes-Pendulum. Seeing as some research suggests type 2 diabetes can cut a person's lifespan by as many as 10 years, this is a welcome and exciting development.

5. Vaccine Development

Some of the most insidious diseases in the world, such as malaria and HIV/AIDS, still don't have vaccines. But vaccine technology is improving all the time. 

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us about anything, it's the lifesaving power of vaccines, and how far along technology in this area has come. In fact, the technology in many COVID-19 vaccines is relatively new. The vaccines created by both Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna utilize mRNA technology, a revolutionary treatment method.

The development of mRNA vaccines is being hailed as one of the most important advances in science in recent memory. They present an entirely new chance to attack and eradicate certain deadly diseases. In the same way that smallpox was completely eliminated, there's hope that even more diseases may soon be facing the same fate.

6. Fighting the Obesity Epidemic

The obesity epidemic in the US (and other countries) is one of the biggest threats to the lifespans of humans today. In the US, 42% of adults struggle with obesity. Unfortunately, this is a condition that has serious consequences for human health.

Because of the way it increases the risk of developing other diseases, obesity is estimated to shorten a person's lifespan by as many as 10 years. This is something that healthcare providers and the US government are aware of, and actively trying to combat.

Through various initiatives to encourage regular exercise and healthy eating, the CDC is aiming to reduce the number of obese adults as fast as it can. This intense focus coupled with treatments such as gastric band surgery, new diets, and counseling are signs that all hope is not lost.

7. Telemedicine

Telemedicine is a phenomenon that's actually been around in one form or another since the 1990s at least. But it makes sense that over the course of the past few years of the pandemic, it began more and more popular. While this type of medicine once exclusively involved telephones (as the name reflects) today, with technologies such as Zoom and Facetime, it's a much more immersive and effective experience for patients.

If you're not familiar with the technology, telehealth refers to a medical consultation that takes place over the phone. So, how and why is this so important to our lifespans and general wellbeing? It's a simple matter of accessibility.

In days past, if a person was unable to secure or attend an in-person appointment with a doctor, they would have to either go without one or wait until one was available. This extends to patients seeking help for their mental health as well.

The inability to access much-needed care, support, and diagnoses can take a huge toll on a human. The length of lifespan shortened because of this issue is something that's difficult to quantify. But one thing's for sure, the better access patients have to physical and mental health, the better and longer a life they're likely to have.

8. Increased Focus on Mental Health

Speaking of mental health, this is another factor that plays a huge part in predicting how long a person is likely to live. For years, speaking about one's mental health was taboo and even frowned upon. Today, however, there's been somewhat of a paradigm shift in this regard.

Nowadays we have a better understanding of mental health issues and the factors that cause them. The stigma surrounding mental health issues has been at least somewhat addressed and put to bed. Healthcare providers in the present day place a much higher value on addressing mental health issues, and this in itself is good news for the longevity of the human race.

Exciting Health Trends Geared Toward Longevity

The above health trends are only a small fraction of the exciting advances currently taking place within the healthcare industry. As scientists continue to make groundbreaking discoveries and find solutions to big issues, the future looks brighter and brighter.

Are you looking to live as long and happy a life as possible? If so, the lifestyle choices you make are important. Browse our range of supplements and diet plans now to see how you can begin to live healthier now.