The science of longevity: dsm-firmenich talks healthy aging innovations
As the global population ages, demand for science-backed supplements and functional ingredients designed to support longevity, mobility, and overall well-being is increasing. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing proactive approaches to aging, seeking solutions that go beyond basic multivitamins to target cognitive health, muscle maintenance, and gut microbiome balance.
In response, brands are innovating with clinically validated biotics, precision-formulated vitamin and mineral blends, and emerging botanical compounds to reshape the healthy aging market.
Additionally, Innova Market Insights’ data suggests that one in three consumers globally consider healthy aging their top physical health priority. From October 2019 to September 2024, healthy aging product launches grew by an average of 9% annually, with supplements comprising 59% and North America leading the market.
Nutrition Insight sits down with François Scheffler, dsm-firmenich’s executive vice president of global marketing and business development to discuss its latest innovations in this growing market.
What does dsm-firmenich see as the primary limitations of the traditional approach to healthy aging?
Scheffler: Over the past 50 years, life expectancy has increased dramatically, yet the gap between life expectancy and health expectancy — the years we live in good health — has remained stagnant at around ten years. This divergence highlights fundamental limitations in traditional approaches to healthy aging, which have been largely reactive rather than proactive.
The conventional mindset has followed a pharmaceutical-like model to address individual health concerns in isolation — like taking vitamin C when feeling unwell or vitamin D for bone health — instead of considering aging’s interconnected biological mechanisms. Traditional methods also tend to focus on single ingredients for specific benefits, missing opportunities for synergistic combinations.
At dsm-firmenich, we recognize that effectively supporting healthy aging and longevity requires a more comprehensive strategy — one that addresses aging’s underlying mechanisms while considering how different nutrients work together to promote overall health expectancy.
How do your strategies for longevity differ from conventional healthy aging solutions?
Scheffler: Our approach to healthy longevity is twofold — helping people ‘age better’ by maintaining holistic health and well-being, while also ‘aging slower’ by targeting fundamental aging processes at the cellular level.
Unlike conventional solutions that often address single health benefits in isolation, we focus on four key hallmarks of aging identified through cutting-edge scientific research — gut microbiome dysbiosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, chronic inflammation, and cellular senescence.
Scheffler states that holistic health approaches can help individuals maintain vitality and independence as they age.
We translate this scientific understanding into integrated solutions that combine hero health ingredients and vitamins with natural extracts in novel delivery formats that support health expectancy and address the specific nutritional challenges older adults face.
How does dsm-firmenich integrate molecular and cellular strategies with traditional nutritional approaches?
Scheffler: dsm-firmenich bridges molecular science and traditional nutrition by designing solutions that work at both cellular and systemic levels. At the cellular level, we target specific processes like mitochondrial function and oxidative stress.
This molecular understanding informs the development of practical nutritional products, such as scientifically formulated nutrient combinations presented in consumer-friendly formats like gummies and tablets.
A key example is our approach to gut health and the gut-brain axis. We develop targeted nutritional solutions that optimize nutrient delivery to support microbiome health, informed by research on how gut dysbiosis impacts aging.
Our science-based method guides how we combine ingredients, such as using specific interventions that target inflammation and cellular senescence through combinations of vitamins C and E, selenium, zinc, and botanical compounds, all chosen based on their demonstrated effects on cellular vitality.
What consumer demands or trends drive the shift toward holistic longevity solutions?
Scheffler: Consumer awareness and demands around healthy longevity are evolving in fascinating ways across different markets. Research shows that many consumers understand the fundamental role of diet and nutrition in healthy aging, with over half (52%) explicitly associating health expectancy with nutrition and wellness.
Nutrient-rich ingredients, from antioxidants to omega-3s, play a crucial role in supporting longevity.
What's particularly interesting is how these demands manifest differently across regions. In markets like Korea, we see a more gender-neutral approach focused on beauty-driven wellness, while in the US, the conversation is largely driven by younger men interested in biohacking and proactive health optimization. These variations highlight how cultural values, societal norms, and local health trends shape perceptions of aging and influence consumer priorities.
We’ve identified four key growth areas in longevity. The first is the expansion of women’s health solutions, particularly around the crucial perimenopausal years. Another key area is the evolving understanding of gut health and its connection to aging. We also see a growing emphasis on proactive health management rather than reactive treatment.
Lastly, the integration of beauty with wellness is gaining traction, especially in sophisticated Asian markets. These trends are underpinned by consumers’ growing recognition that health and wellness outcomes require a holistic approach encompassing nutrition, sleep, movement, and social connectivity.
Which innovations from dsm-firmenich embody this holistic approach to longevity?
Scheffler: At dsm-firmenich, we’re uniting all our competencies to create comprehensive solutions that target the key hallmarks of aging. Our approach combines cutting-edge ingredients with innovative delivery systems through what we call our ‘purple box solutions.’
These integrate hero health ingredients, vitamins, and natural extracts in formats that go beyond traditional capsules and tablets. Specifically, we’re developing targeted premix formulations that address mitochondrial function, cellular vitality, the body's natural balance mechanisms, and microbiome health.
Our innovation extends to sustainable, next-generation ingredients like algae-derived omega-3s, while our advanced delivery systems ensure optimal nutrient release and enhanced bioavailability. We’re honoring our commitment to making health expectancy solutions both effective and enjoyable by ensuring our solutions provide health benefits in consumer-friendly formats that taste great.
How does dsm-firmenich measure the effectiveness of its longevity-focused products?
Scheffler: Our approach to measuring product effectiveness combines biomarkers with innovative assessment tools. We utilize advanced biomarkers like epigenetic clocks — currently the most sophisticated measurement tools available — to track biological age and demonstrate how our nutritional interventions impact health expectancy.
We also use a multi-level assessment approach that combines molecular markers of cellular health, biochemical indicators of metabolic function, and clinical measurements of physical performance and recovery. Using diverse measurement techniques helps us demonstrate the immediate and long-term effectiveness of our solutions while advancing scientific understanding of aging processes.
Scheffler notes that emerging research highlights the vital link between gut health and longevity.
What are key challenges in communicating the benefits of these solutions to consumers?
Scheffler: Shifting consumer mindsets from reactive health management to proactive longevity optimization demands a delicate balance. While scientific evidence supports nutrition’s role in healthy aging, conveying these complex concepts in compelling, accessible ways requires careful consideration of diverse cultural perspectives and market needs.
Sophisticated markets like Korea exemplify the balance required, as consumers expect robust scientific backing alongside enjoyable product experiences. Success depends on seamless collaboration across the health ecosystem, from research scientists to healthcare professionals and retailers, while navigating varied regulatory requirements and cultural nuances across global markets.
What future developments in healthy longevity does dsm-firmenich anticipate?
Scheffler: The future of healthy longevity centers on transforming scientific understanding into practical solutions. dsm-firmenich’s innovation roadmap embraces sustainable alternatives, with breakthrough developments like algae-derived omega-3s already gaining significant traction in key markets for their health and environmental credits anti-inflammatory benefits support tissue repair and return homeostasis.
Moving beyond traditional supplements, upcoming innovations will reimagine how consumers experience health products, combining optimized taste profiles with enhanced delivery systems. The science of aging itself continues to evolve, with expanded research into the hallmarks of aging and more refined ways to measure intervention effectiveness.
The goal extends beyond simply adding years to life — it’s about fundamentally transforming how people approach and experience their senior years, maintaining vitality and independence through evidence-based nutritional solutions.
