Anti-aging health check-up system—Current overview of anti-aging medicine in Japan and experiences from anti-aging health check-ups at Tokai University Tokyo Hospital

The term "anti-aging" means an attempt to slow the process of the aging-induced decline of the physiological function leading to illness. Aging is inevitable, but pathological aging can be delayed by lifestyle modification and stress management. Interventional approaches are taken to reduce aging-related problems, such as dementia, locomotive syndrome, and frailty, even when the individual is in a healthy state before aging-related diseases appear. The goal of anti-aging medicine is the extension of the healthy life-span and realization of successful aging. The anti-aging health check-up system, also known as the anti-aging dock, can offer specialized examinations to detect early signs of age-related changes, such as vascular, hormonal, oxidative stress-induced, and body composition changes, and help people reduce age-related risks with specialists in anti-aging medicine. The items examined in the anti-aging dock of Tokai University Tokyo Hospital are divided into two major components: the "degree of aging" and "aging risk factors". Our anti-aging health check-up system provides not only various examinations, but also health guidance and nutritional advice, including dietary supplements the examinees personally need. Japan is already a super-aging society, and the proportion of elderly people is steadily increasing year by year. Thus, the need for primary prevention of age-related diseases through health screening is growing. This article provides a current overview of anti-aging medicine in Japan and experiences from the anti-aging health check-up system at Tokai University Tokyo Hospital, which can serve as a helpful perspective for health evaluation and promotion.