The NEE-V Healthy Ageing Guide 2026: 25 Questions Answered by Doctors, Researchers and Global Experts
By Eryn Behan | Founder, NEE-V
"The people who age the best are not necessarily the ones chasing the latest supplement. They are the ones consistently investing in the fundamentals."
— Dr Jonathan Spages, Functional Medicine Practitioner and Founder of the Advanced Natural Health Center
Healthy ageing has become one of the biggest conversations in wellness.
Every week there's another supplement promising to slow ageing, another longevity expert sharing their daily routine or another headline claiming to have discovered the secret to living longer.
If I'm honest, I found it overwhelming.
After six years building NEE-V, I've spent countless hours reading collagen research, following developments in nutrition, skin health and preventative wellness. Like many people, I wanted to know what actually makes a difference—not just to how we look, but to how we feel, move and live as we get older.
The more I read, the more I realised something.
Everyone seemed to have an opinion.
But who should we actually listen to?
So instead of reading another article or scrolling through social media, I decided to ask the people who dedicate their careers to helping others age well.
Over the past few weeks, I've been fortunate to speak with dermatologists, medical doctors, functional medicine practitioners, nutrition experts, microbiome specialists, longevity founders and wellness professionals from Australia and around the world. Alongside those conversations, I also reviewed the latest evidence from organisations including the World Health Organization (WHO), the U.S. National Institute on Aging (NIA), Harvard Health Publishing and peer-reviewed scientific journals.
I expected completely different answers.
Surely a dermatologist would focus on skin.
A nutrition expert would talk about food.
A longevity specialist might champion supplements.
Instead, something unexpected happened.
Despite working in different countries, different specialties and caring for different patients, they kept coming back to the same handful of habits.
Move your body.
Build and maintain muscle.
Eat enough protein.
Support your gut.
Protect your skin.
Sleep well.
Manage stress.
Stay socially connected.
And above all else…
Be consistent.
That was perhaps the biggest lesson I took away from this project.
Healthy ageing isn't built through perfection.
It isn't built through expensive treatments or chasing every new wellness trend.
It's built through simple habits that quietly compound over years.
That's what this guide is about.
Not quick fixes.
Not fear.
Not hype.
Just practical, evidence-based advice from experts who have dedicated their careers to understanding healthy ageing, combined with the latest scientific research and my own reflections after spending weeks immersed in both.
Whether you're in your thirties thinking about prevention, your fifties looking to stay active, or simply curious about what healthy ageing really means, I hope this guide helps you cut through the noise and focus on what actually matters.
"Healthy ageing isn't about one product or one perfect routine. It's about building habits that support your future self." Eryn, NEE-V Founder
About the experts featured in this guide
To create this guide, I spoke with experts from a range of disciplines including dermatology, medicine, functional medicine, nutrition, microbiome science, movement and healthy ageing.
Some spend their days treating patients.
Others are researchers or founders working alongside clinicians and scientific advisory boards.
Each was invited to contribute insights based on their area of expertise and experience.
Their perspectives are presented alongside peer-reviewed research and recommendations from leading health organisations to provide a balanced, evidence-based view of healthy ageing.
Throughout the guide you'll also see my own reflections—not as a clinician, but as someone who has spent the past six years immersed in collagen science, healthy ageing and the conversations shaping the future of preventative wellness.
What surprised me most
When I began researching this guide, I thought every expert would have a different philosophy.
Instead, I found remarkable agreement.
Whether I was speaking with a board-certified dermatologist in New York, a functional medicine practitioner, a microbiome expert or a longevity founder, the same themes kept emerging.
No one talked about miracle products.
No one promised overnight results.
Instead, they spoke about habits.
Simple habits.
Repeated consistently.
Over years.
The Healthy Ageing Consensus
✔ Build and maintain muscle.
✔ Move your body every day.
✔ Eat enough protein.
✔ Feed your gut microbiome.
✔ Prioritise quality sleep.
✔ Protect your skin from the sun.
✔ Manage stress.
✔ Stay socially connected.
✔ Think prevention, not treatment.
✔ Focus on consistency over perfection.
As you'll discover throughout this guide, these weren't isolated opinions.
They were themes consistently supported by both expert experience and scientific research.
1. What does healthy ageing actually mean?
Short answer
Healthy ageing isn't about trying to stop ageing.
It's about giving yourself the best opportunity to stay healthy, capable and independent so you can continue doing the things you love for as long as possible.
What the research says
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines healthy ageing as developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age. Rather than simply measuring how long we live, researchers are increasingly interested in healthspan, the number of years we remain physically active, mentally sharp and able to live independently.
The U.S. National Institute on Aging takes a similar view, highlighting regular physical activity, nutritious eating, restorative sleep, meaningful social connection and preventative healthcare as some of the strongest contributors to healthy ageing.
It's a subtle but important shift.
Healthy ageing isn't about adding years to life.
It's about adding life to your years.
Expert Perspective
One of the first people I spoke with was Neill David Watson, founder of APMZEE, a longevity company focused on helping people stay active, capable and independent as they age.
When I asked him what healthy ageing meant to him, his answer immediately resonated.
"The goal worth chasing isn't more years, it's more active years where you can still do the things that make life worth living."
That sentiment echoed throughout many of the conversations I had while researching this guide.
Eryn's Take
Before founding NEE-V, I probably thought healthy ageing was mostly about skin.
Today, I think about it very differently.
Beautiful skin is wonderful, but it's only one part of the picture.
Strength.
Energy.
Confidence.
Mobility.
Independence.
These are the things that really determine how well we age.
Perhaps that's the biggest shift this project gave me.
Healthy ageing isn't about looking younger.
It's about staying capable enough to keep saying yes to life.
What you can do today
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Think beyond appearance and focus on your long-term healthspan.
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Build habits that support your future self, not just today's goals.
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Remember that healthy ageing is about consistency—not perfection.
Expert Spotlight
Neill David Watson
Founder, APMZEE
Contributed expertise on active longevity, movement and maintaining physical capability as we age.
2. Can you actually slow the ageing process?
Short answer
You can't stop the clock, but you can influence how well you age.
Healthy ageing isn't about avoiding birthdays or chasing youth forever. It's about supporting your body so you remain healthy, strong and independent for as long as possible.
What the research says
Researchers now distinguish between chronological age (the number of years you've been alive) and biological age, which reflects how well your body is functioning.
While our genetics influence how we age, they're only part of the story. Organisations such as the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Institute on Aging recognise that lifestyle factors, including regular physical activity, nutritious eating, quality sleep, stress management and social connection play a major role in healthy ageing. Increasingly, researchers are focusing on improving our healthspan rather than simply extending lifespan.
Expert Perspective
One of the recurring themes throughout my conversations was that nobody believed there was a shortcut.
Dr Jonathan Spages, a Functional Medicine Practitioner, author and founder of the Advanced Natural Health Center, put it simply:
"The people who age the best are not necessarily the ones chasing the latest supplement. They are the ones consistently investing in the fundamentals."
His advice echoed what I heard from almost every expert I interviewed.
Eryn's Take
This was probably my biggest takeaway from researching this guide.
Like many people, I've often wondered if there was one breakthrough that could change everything.
Instead, I found something much more encouraging.
The fundamentals still matter.
Move your body.
Eat well.
Sleep well.
Manage stress.
Repeat.
Healthy ageing isn't built in a month.
It's built over decades.
What you can do today
- Focus on building habits you can maintain for years, not weeks.
- Think about improving your healthspan, not simply your lifespan.
- Don't underestimate the power of small, consistent actions.
"Healthy ageing isn't about turning back time. It's about making the most of the years ahead."
3. What is the biggest misconception about healthy ageing?
Short answer
That it's something we only need to think about when we get older.
The reality is that healthy ageing begins much earlier than most of us realise.
What the research says
Many of the changes associated with ageing including muscle loss, declining bone density, cardiovascular health and skin ageing develop gradually over decades. The encouraging news is that research also shows it's never too late to benefit from healthier habits. Even people who begin exercising later in life can improve strength, mobility and overall quality of life.
Expert Perspective
One of the first experts I contacted was Dr Cameron Rokhsar, a board-certified dermatologist, skin cancer surgeon and founder of the New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery Center.
When I asked him what one habit delivers the greatest long-term return, he didn't hesitate.
"The single piece of advice that pays off more than any other if started early is daily broad-spectrum sun protection applied to the face, neck, chest and back of the hands."
As someone who treats the effects of photoageing every day, Dr Rokhsar explained that protecting your skin from ultraviolet exposure remains one of the most effective long-term investments you can make.
Eryn's Take
This idea really stayed with me.
Almost every expert I interviewed spoke about prevention rather than repair.
Whether it was building muscle before we lose it, supporting our gut microbiome early, protecting our skin from the sun or prioritising sleep, the message was remarkably consistent.
Healthy ageing doesn't start when we notice the first wrinkle.
It starts with the choices we make today.
What you can do today
- Wear sunscreen every day, not just in summer.
- Start building healthy habits now rather than waiting for the "perfect" time.
- Remember that prevention is almost always easier than repair.
"Healthy ageing starts long before we notice the signs of ageing."
4. How much of healthy ageing is genetics versus lifestyle?
Short answer
Genetics influence how we age, but they don't determine our future.
Many of the factors that shape healthy ageing are within our control.
What the research says
Scientists estimate that while genetics contribute to longevity, lifestyle and environmental factors also play a significant role in determining how well we age. Regular movement, nutritious eating, quality sleep, stress management and maintaining social connections all contribute to healthier ageing and greater independence later in life.
Expert Perspective
I also spoke with Hans Graubard, COO and co-founder of Happy V, a company specialising in women's microbiome health.
Working alongside clinicians and microbiome researchers, Hans believes one of the biggest opportunities lies in supporting gut health long before problems arise.
"Take care of your gut before anything else. You don't need a perfect routine; you need a varied one."
He encourages people to focus on dietary diversity, fibre-rich foods and fermented foods rather than relying on a single "hero" supplement.
Eryn's Take
I found this incredibly encouraging.
It's easy to think our genes have already decided our future.
But every expert I spoke with focused on the things we can actually influence.
Our movement.
Our nutrition.
Our sleep.
Our stress.
Our relationships.
Those are powerful places to start.
What you can do today
- Focus on what you can control rather than what you can't.
- Aim to include a wider variety of plant foods each week.
- Think about healthy ageing as a series of small daily decisions.
"Healthy ageing is influenced by the choices we make every day—not just the genes we inherit."
5. If you could only give one piece of advice to someone who wants to age well, what would it be?
Short answer
This turned out to be my favourite question.
I expected every expert to give me a different answer.
Instead, they all pointed in the same direction.
Expert Perspectives
Dr Jonathan Spages
Functional Medicine Practitioner | Founder, Advanced Natural Health Center
"The people who age the best are not necessarily the ones chasing the latest supplement. They are the ones consistently investing in the fundamentals."
Dr Cameron Rokhsar
Board-certified Dermatologist | Founder, New York Cosmetic Skin & Laser Surgery Center
"The single piece of advice that pays off more than any other if started early is daily broad-spectrum sun protection."
Hans Graubard
COO & Co-founder, Happy V
"Take care of your gut before anything else."
Neill David Watson
Founder, APMZEE
"The goal worth chasing isn't more years, it's more active years where you can still do the things that make life worth living."
Brandon Robinson
Founder of MEDSPA & CEO
"Protect your energy and manage your stress, because that shows up in how you feel and how you age."
Eryn's Take
I loved asking this question because there wasn't one perfect answer.
There was, however, a clear pattern.
No one spoke about chasing perfection.
No one suggested there was a miracle product.
Instead, they all came back to the same idea.
Build healthy habits before you need them.
Protect your body.
Stay active.
Stay curious.
Stay consistent.
I think that's a message worth remembering.
What you can do today
Instead of trying to change everything at once, choose one habit you can commit to this week.
Go for a walk.
Lift some weights.
Cook a nourishing meal.
Get to bed a little earlier.
Healthy ageing isn't built through dramatic changes.
It's built through the small decisions we make every day.