If people like Aubrey de Grey and Ray Kurzweil are right, then we may be on the cusp of radical life extension. If their concept of Longevity Escape Velocity is valid, then medical and technological advances could soon begin adding years to lifespan faster than we can live them. And if that were true, then it would be a shame to die prematurely, right before it happened. But even those who don't believe in radical life extension probably don't want to die prematurely or suffer from extended periods of chronic disease. Currently, there is no treatment that can slow, stop or reverse the natural process of aging. But making bad lifestyle choices can certainly accelerate the aging process. Many of the diseases of old age are preventable by making good lifestyle choices. Even if it turns out to be impossible to extend life beyond the ranges being achieved by a small number of supercentenarians today, improving healthspan — the years of life spent in good health — is a desirable and achievable goal for everyone.