Inside the Global Summit Reshaping How Scientists Study Healthy Aging

Scientists are shifting their focus from simply living longer to living better—and they're gathering in Tokyo to share breakthrough discoveries about how our cells hold the key to healthy aging. The Healthspan in Action event, happening February 5-7, 2026, will bring together nearly 800 researchers, advisors, and global experts to discuss how plant-based compounds and cellular health can extend the years we spend in good health, not just add years to our lives.

Why Are Scientists Focusing on Cellular Health Instead of Just Lifespan?

The distinction between lifespan and healthspan matters more than you might think. Lifespan is simply how long you live; healthspan is how many of those years you spend feeling strong, sharp, and independent. "Everyone wants to know how they can support their health and wellbeing as they age," explains Jesse Leverett, Amway Research Fellow. "Science tells us the place to start is with our cells, the basic units of life that create and sustain our bodies. When our cells are functioning optimally, so are we".

This cellular approach represents a fundamental shift in aging research. Rather than chasing anti-aging supplements or dramatic interventions, scientists are investigating the everyday lifestyle choices, environmental exposures, and nutritional factors that keep our cells healthy as we age. The research suggests that when individual cells function well, the entire body—and our healthspan—improves.

What Four Research Areas Are Scientists Prioritizing?

The Healthspan in Action event will focus on four interconnected areas that influence how our cells age. These represent the cutting edge of healthy aging science:

• Phytonutrients: Plant-derived compounds that may support cellular function and protect against age-related damage at the molecular level.
• Microbiome Health: The community of beneficial bacteria living in and on our bodies that influence digestion, immunity, and overall cellular health.
• Exposome: The collection of external environmental factors—including sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle choices—that accumulate over time and affect aging.
• Cellular Health: The foundation of healthspan, focusing on how well our cells repair themselves, communicate, and function as we age.

Japan was strategically chosen as the host location because it is home to the world's most rapidly aging society and has become a global center for healthy aging research and development. This setting will provide researchers with real-world context and fresh perspectives on supporting populations as they age.

Who Are the Leading Experts Shaping This Research?

The event will feature several internationally recognized researchers whose work is advancing our understanding of aging at the cellular level. Gary Fisher, an endowed professor of molecular dermatology at the University of Michigan, studies how sun-induced skin damage communicates throughout the body and affects overall aging. David Furman, director of Stanford's 1,000 Immunomes Project, investigates how inflammation in the immune system influences the development of chronic diseases as we age. David Walker at UCLA focuses on gut health as a driver of overall healthspan, exploring how botanical compounds might support healthy aging by maintaining gut barrier function.

These researchers represent decades of combined expertise in dermatology, gut health, nutrition, and the fundamental mechanisms of aging. Their collaborative work is beginning to reveal how plant-based compounds might support cellular health across multiple body systems simultaneously.

"Amway scientists, Amway Scientific Advisors and our other expert collaborators are keenly focused on cellular health innovation to support healthspan," said Kristi Pelc, Chief Research and Development Officer. "Our collective research is beginning to unlock the potential of plants to support inner and outer wellbeing at these most basic units of life".

What Makes This Event Significant for the Future of Aging Research?

The Healthspan in Action event represents more than just a scientific conference. It demonstrates how the global scientific community is reorganizing its approach to aging. Rather than viewing aging as an inevitable decline, researchers are investigating specific, measurable ways to extend the period of healthy, functional life.

The event will include an internal, full-day meeting of scientific advisors and internal experts, followed by a media event on Friday, February 6, where findings will be shared with the broader scientific and business community. This structure ensures that cutting-edge research reaches not only academic institutions but also health and wellness companies and consumers interested in evidence-based approaches to aging.

The convergence of 90 years of plant knowledge with modern cellular biology research suggests that the next decade of aging science may focus less on dramatic interventions and more on optimizing the everyday factors—nutrition, environmental protection, and gut health—that keep our cells functioning well throughout our lives.