The concept of Longevity Escape Velocity (cLEV) was much discussed years ago among Longevity Science Enthusiasts (LSE) and not much since. At the time, cLEV provided a rationale for being hopeful. As important, cLEV suggested that a dimension of aging underlying the observable fact of people aging at different rates could be expressed in an algorithm.
- Estimate the increase (or decrease) in expected lifespan that takes place during a specific length period.
- Divide the estimate by the length of time.
This conceptually simple ratio might be called Longevity Velocity.
Longevity Velocity is a ratio that can be calculated, at specific points in time, for immediately previous periods of time. It is the ratio of the length of time one's estimated remaining life span has increased or decreased during that period divided by the length of the period.*
For example, hypothetically, let's say that, over a period of 12 months...
- one's expected remaining life span increased by 6 months.
- one's estimated age, via some specific estimation technique, increased by 6 months.
In both examples, one's Longevity Velocity could be calculated as 0.5 (1/2). ( 6 months / 12 months = 1/2 ).
Fast forward a bit more than a decade...
Several recent studies and new health related online services make it possible now to imagine that Longevity Velocity can be calculated at regular intervals. These techniques are in early stages of development and much work needs doing to improve and standardize their use. But current shortcomings don't detract from this new reality. We will, someday, be able to calculate Longevity Velocity precisely enough that we can leverage the concept and measurement of it in us for benefit.
Published studies of the last few years suggest that we might soon be able to calculate Longevity Velocity to a degree of precision never before imagined.
- Telomere length has been found to be a useful estimator of age and life expectancy.
- Various Epigenetic Methylation patterns have also been found to be useful in estimating age and remaining life expectancy.
Several companies now provide services to measure these variables. It's early days, and the measurement quality is now uneven or unknown, but the services do exist.
- Services that measure Telomere Length have been around several years now and explicitly suggest that an alternative TeloYears ago may be derived from these services.
- In July 2017, a first company has begun to provide an epigenetic methylation test and measurement service for consumers.
The purpose of this thread is to discuss the variables and evolve an algorithm relevant to calculating Longevity Velocity and to provide a clear summary of the state of the discussion in a few posts at thread top as it proceeds.
Mind and Caliban have kindly agreed to make me a moderator of this thread so I can maintain topic recap summaries of the discussion...Here's what I imagine the first several posts in the thread should look like.
This Opening Post is post number 0 (zero) in this forum thread... This Opening Post +
- ... will always contain diagrams that clarify the current best algorithm for calculating Longevity Velocity we will have come up with
- ... will always contain an expression of the current best algorithm for calculating Longevity Velocity we will have come up with
- ... will contain reasons of dissent that emerges against that algorithm in OP + 2
- ... will contain references to the key scientific studies relevant to the ideas underlying the algorithm
- ... will contain references to the various services one may use to get testing done for personal calculation of Longevity Velocity
- ... will contain links to other Longecity threads or scientific studies that discuss means for increasing Longevity Velocity
- ... will contain links to data sets that we can use for testing of various algorithmic expressions of Longevity Velocity
In his great book, The Abolition of Aging: The forthcoming radical extension of healthy human longevity, David Wood highlights a set of key knowledge management tasks for the rejuveneering community. The first kind of content David notes people should be be able to access online knowledge about is this one...
- The community's best thoughts as to credible roadmaps for progress that can be made in the rejuveneering project in the years ahead.
Over time, the most Credible Roadmaps will be those that are helpful in increasing Longevity Velocity. So our being able to calculate LV in standard ways and with some rigor will be helpful in assessing what's credible and what's not. Hence this thread...
A regular contributor at Longecity, Steve H, has recently written some great summary articles on various kinds of aging biomarkers, including some not included in the list above. Looking forward to learning more about these from Steve.
Thanks for the ideas, David and Steve!
Edited by HighDesertWizard, 13 August 2017 - 12:01 AM.
