Are we chasing longevity all wrong? Top doctor's candid post urges shift from biohacking, anti-aging obsession

Economic Times

2 days ago

iStock Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a US-based heart specialist, warns against the rising trend of biohacks and anti-aging fads, stating that Americans spend over 12 years in poor health before death (Image: iStock)
In a world obsessed with living longer, are we overlooking what really matters—living well? In a powerful and emotionally charged Instagram post, Dr. Sanjay Bhojraj, a leading US-based interventional cardiologist and founder of the Well12 wellness program, challenged the very foundation of the modern longevity movement. His message? A longer life doesn't mean a better one.
'Longevity is everywhere… but we're not living better,' reads the text of his viral post. Surrounded by trends like cold plunges, anti-aging supplements, and flashy biohacks, many today are chasing added years with little thought to what those years actually look like. Dr. Bhojraj argues that while medical advancements may have stretched the average lifespan, they've done little to prevent a painful truth: Americans now spend over 12 years in poor health toward the end of their lives.
'That's more than a decade of daily meds, low energy, pain, and cognitive decline,' he wrote in his caption, adding that we've succeeded in extending life—but at the cost of vitality and dignity. The sobering reality, he notes, is that we're 'just living longer… while sicker.' His post strikes at the heart of the longevity narrative, exposing a hard truth often hidden beneath headlines and health fads.
Dr. Bhojraj's solution isn't found in another supplement or a viral health hack—it's in reframing the conversation. 'Living longer doesn't necessarily mean living better,' he stated. 'It's time to shift the conversation from merely adding years to ensuring those years are vibrant and fulfilling.' This, he explains, is the distinction between lifespan and healthspan—a term increasingly used by health professionals to emphasize not just how long one lives, but how well.
The cardiologist, known for combining evidence-based medicine with holistic wellness, has long advocated for addressing the root causes of disease. His integrative approach blends nutrition, genomics, breathwork, sleep, and stress management—an ecosystem of habits meant to extend vitality, not just life.
He urges patients and practitioners to focus less on living forever and more on feeling alive. 'Let's redefine what it means to age well,' his post concludes—a sentiment that resonates deeply in a time where longevity often overshadows quality. Dr. Bhojraj's post is more than a medical observation; it's a cultural critique. It reminds us that the true goal of health isn't merely to survive more birthdays—but to live each year with energy, clarity, and purpose. In the race for longer lives, he challenges us to pause and ask: what are we really running toward?