Chinese Medical Perspectives on Longevity: Bridging Ancient and Modern Insights on Lifespan and Healthspan

This article examines Chinese medical perspectives on longevity through the lens of jīng, the vital essence central to health and ageing, and connects these ancient insights with emerging biomedical research on interleukin-11 (IL-11). Jīng, a foundational concept in Chinese medicine, is viewed as the source of life’s vitality, governing growth, reproduction and the ageing process. Recent studies identify IL-11 as a biomolecular factor linked to age-related disease and degeneration, suggesting that elevated IL-11 contributes to senescence, fibrosis and chronic illness in mature adults. By correlating IL-11’s biological roles with the functions of jīng, this article proposes that managing IL-11 levels could enhance both healthspan and lifespan. Traditional Chinese health practices - such as dietary therapy, acupuncture, qìgōng, tàijíquán and botanical supplementation - are explored for their potential to inhibit IL-11 activity, thereby preserving jīng and mitigating age-related decline. The article ultimately advocates for an integrative model, in which modern biomedical findings on IL-11 enhance the practice of Chinese medicine to offer more comprehensive longevity strategies.