Longevity Expert Andy Galpin Shares the Number One Predictor of Health-span, And It’s Not What You Think!

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Defining VO2 Max
VO2 max, or maximal oxygen uptake, is a critical measure of how well your body uses oxygen during exercise. explains that it involves both central and peripheral components, including cardiac output and the ability of muscles to extract oxygen from the blood 1. This metric is expressed in milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of body weight per minute, and achieving a VO2 max of 50 at age 50 is considered a solid benchmark for men, while 45 is ideal for women 2.
Your capacity to take in oxygen and turn it into energy is a key factor as you age, especially in your sixties, seventies, eighties, and beyond.
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Predictive Power
VO2 max is a powerful predictor of longevity, surpassing many traditional health metrics. cites extensive research, including studies with hundreds of thousands of participants, showing that higher VO2 max levels correlate with lower mortality rates 3. For example, a 40-year-old woman with a VO2 max in the mid-thirties is considered average, but improving this number can significantly impact her lifespan 4.
Almost nothing in the world will predict how long you're going to live compared to your VO2 max.
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Health Implications
A low VO2 max can severely impact daily activities and overall quality of life. explains that basic tasks like walking upstairs or getting dressed can become exhausting if your VO2 max is low, leading to chronic fatigue and reduced independence 5. This lack of fitness can create a downward spiral, where low energy levels lead to inactivity, further decreasing VO2 max and overall health 6.
People are literally inactive so much that just their normal day-to-day function is overtraining because they're so unfit.
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