May 30, 2026, 4:00 am | Read time: 6 minutes

Measure, Track, Optimize: Longevity Begins in the Test Lab

In the longevity realm, it’s not about guessing but measuring. A Berlin-based instant lab presented various check-up packages: for men, women, athletes, etc. Naturally, a longevity profile was included. This featured not only a classic blood count but also markers for blood sugar, liver and kidney values, and CRP (C-reactive protein), which indicates silent chronic inflammation in the body. Such inflammatory processes are considered potential risk factors for diseases like cardiovascular conditions or diabetes. A typical longevity feature was also a telomere length measurement. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. They shorten with age. Measuring them can provide insights into biological age and cell health.

Even more futuristic were digital biomarkers: A health check here is supposed to work entirely without blood samples—practical for those afraid of needles. In just two minutes, a selfie, a voice recording, and smartphone typing behavior should provide clues about values like blood pressure, heart rate, and lung health. Using AI, the model even derived substitute values for blood biomarkers, such as cholesterol. However, how reliable such digital measurements are in everyday life remains open.

Wellness Goes High-Tech

One of the biggest health problems is stress. So it’s not surprising that numerous wellness and recovery tools were on display at the Life Summit. In a conversation with FITBOOK, oncologist Prof. David Khayat said: “Besides exercise, controlling stress is one of the most important longevity measures.” He mentioned traditional methods like meditation and Tai Chi as possible ways—the latter was practiced on stage by speaker and “Shaolin Kid” Sascha Wenk together with the audience.

In contrast, many innovative wellness devices are often for lying down. In the “Longevity Spa,” you can float on water for relaxation without getting wet. Optionally, molecular hydrogen can be inhaled nasally, which, according to manufacturers, has strong antioxidant effects, protects against cell aging, and speeds up muscle regeneration. Another technique also uses water, but for massaging. On a “Hydrojet,” water jets from below relax the muscles. Infrared light from above is supposed to stimulate skin regeneration—red light was integrated into numerous devices at the fair.

What Healthy Teeth Have to Do with Longevity

Dental health doesn’t initially sound like a longevity trend. But at the Life Summit, it became clear: The mouth is not an isolated area. Inflammations in the gums or a disturbed oral flora can burden the entire body. In periodontitis, for example, bacteria can enter the bloodstream through open areas. Therefore, oral health is now also discussed in connection with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic health, and even neurodegenerative diseases. At the fair, there were lozenges with lactoferrin, which has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects and thus strengthens a healthy oral flora.

Medicinal Mushrooms and Designer Supplements

For FITBOOK nutrition expert Sophie Brünke, the dietary supplements were the most exciting. There were two teams: Either nutrient concentrates to drink, containing up to 99 ingredients at once (in capsule form, this would probably not be feasible) and intended as a convenient “one fits all” solution. “Here, the known problem of combination preparations may arise, where nutrients partially inhibit each other in their absorption in the intestine,” said Brünke. On the other side were supplements tailored to specific needs: Manufacturers developed supplements for various sports to extend peak performance over a lifetime. Others offered blood tests as a basis for creating personalized infusions.

Surprisingly often, so-called medicinal mushrooms were included in the supplements at this year’s Life Summit. These contain some bioactive compounds that are supposed to support healthy aging. Often included: Reishi, the “mushroom of eternal youth.” Medicinal mushrooms are said to boost both energy production in cells and the immune system.

During the panel talk on supplements, FITBOOK Editor-in-Chief Nuno Alves asked experts from product development and medicine what they take. Highly favored: creatine, which enhances cognitive performance. Dr. Luisa Werner mentioned the important classic vitamin D: “You don’t get enough vitamin D3 through diet, and there’s not enough sun—even in summer in Germany.”

More on the topic

An Evening With Experts “Longevity Now”: FITBOOK Celebrates Exclusive Kickoff to LIFE Summit Berlin

"FITBOOK Longevity Lounge" With Panel Talk Longevity–From Myths to Science to Everyday Life

Breathing Like in the Mountains: Altitude Training at Home

You may have heard that professional athletes go to the mountains for altitude training before important competitions or tournaments. At about 2,000 meters above sea level, the body has less oxygen available due to lower air pressure. It responds by increasing the production of red blood cells, which improve oxygen transport in the blood. These helpers remain for several weeks after training and support athletes’ performance.

But now, the mountains are available at home. Many visitors relaxed on loungers with oxygen masks. A manufacturer explained on-site that such systems not only work with oxygen-reduced air for the altitude training effect but also, depending on the program, with additional oxygen for regeneration and an energy boost.

Fitness for the Brain–Even Sleep Can Be Trained

Anyone interested in longevity cannot ignore the topic of sleep. Important repair processes occur in the body during sleep. FITBOOK Editorial Director and sleep coach Melanie Hoffmann paid particular attention to this. “It’s exciting to see that the topic of sleep is viewed both classically here at the Life Summit, such as mattresses made from natural materials, and very technologically: I tested a ‘fitness studio for the mind,’ where sound frequencies were supposed to influence brain wave patterns to train better sleep.” And the device had more programs in store: including training to help quit smoking, alleviate anxiety or stress, and support weight loss.

Even the biological age of their brain could be determined by fair visitors, with a kind of electrode hairnet in just a few minutes. Would you have dared?