What is healthy aging?
Healthy Aging refers to the process of maintaining physical and mental abilities well into old age in order to lead an independent, fulfilling life. The World Health Organization defines it as “the process of developing and maintaining the functional abilities that enable well-being in older age.” Unlike anti-aging, which is often cosmetically oriented, Healthy Aging focuses on extending the healthspan rather than merely the lifespan.
Healthy Aging vs. Anti-Aging
- Healthy Aging: A holistic approach that emphasizes a healthy lifestyle, prevention of chronic diseases, functional fitness, cognitive health, and social participation. The goal is not to stop aging, but to make it healthy.
- Anti-Aging: Mostly focused on slowing external signs of aging or turning back the biological clock through medical, aesthetic, or technological interventions.
Healthy Aging acknowledges aging as a natural process and focuses on experiencing it with as much vitality and as little illness as possible.
How AKG as a key molecule in the citric acid cycle reduces biological age
Alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG) is a natural metabolite produced in the citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) — the central energy pathway in every cell. It serves as a key junction between energy production, anabolic metabolism, and cell regeneration.
- Energy production & cell protection: AKG supports mitochondrial energy metabolism and reduces harmful free radicals.
- Epigenetic regulation: AKG is a cofactor for enzymes that control DNA and histone methylation — processes linked to biological aging.
- Longevity pathways: Inhibits mTOR, activates AMPK, and modulates inflammatory processes — central regulators of lifespan and healthspan.
- Conclusion: AKG is not a “miracle cure,” but rather a central regulator that simultaneously influences multiple mechanisms of aging.
Research on AKG has gained momentum in recent years, with exciting results from animal and initial human studies:
- C. elegans: AKG supplementation extended the lifespan of these nematodes by up to 50% by inhibiting mTOR and optimizing energy metabolism.
- Mice: Long-term administration of calcium-AKG increased median lifespan, improved overall health, and halved the period of frailty before death.
- Bone health: In aged mice, AKG increased bone mass and prevented the loss of stability.
- Epigenetic age: In a retrospective observational study of 42 participants (average age 64), AKG supplementation for an average of 7 months led to an average reduction in epigenetic age of 8 years.
While many anti-aging substances target only specific aging mechanisms, AKG acts on multiple fundamental processes at once — from energy metabolism and epigenetic programming to inflammation regulation.
5 tips for a healthier life
- Regular exercise
Combine endurance training (e.g., brisk walking, cycling) with strength training to maintain muscle mass, bone density, and metabolic health. - Plant-based diet
Focus on fresh, unprocessed foods with a high proportion of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and healthy fats. - Daily intake of SANOPAL BASIC
SANOPAL BASIC contains high-quality alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG), which supports energy metabolism, may positively influence epigenetic aging markers, and has been associated in preclinical and early human studies with a slowing of biological aging. - Adequate sleep
7–8 hours per night promote recovery, hormone balance, and cognitive performance. - Stress management & social connections
Chronic stress accelerates aging processes. Mindfulness, hobbies, friendships, and community activities are therefore essential.