On September 1, the New York Post covered a new healthy aging survey from U.S. News. It asked 63 experts which parts of aging people overlook and which longevity tools are worth the hype. The story also included something I had told the Post earlier about continuous glucose monitors. Here is what I took from it, and how I would apply it.
The "blind spots" are not high-tech
According to the Post's summary, the experts ranked consistent exercise, a good diet and high-quality sleep as the most effective habits for healthy aging. The three biggest blind spots they named are things many of us do not think of as health care at all:
- Social isolation was named by 59% of the experts, according to the article.
- Circadian disruption, meaning irregular sleep and waking, came second at 19%.
- Chronic micro-stress, the low-grade stress that never fully switches off, came third at 18%.
As an endocrinologist, none of that surprises me. Sleep, stress and your hormones are closely linked. Poor sleep and ongoing stress can affect cortisol, appetite and blood sugar. Loneliness is also known to be a public health concern, particularly for older adults.
What I would do with that list
- Keep a regular sleep schedule. A consistent bedtime and wake time matter as much as the number of hours.
- Schedule connection like you schedule appointments. A weekly walk with a friend or a standing call counts.
- Build in small stress breaks. A short walk after a meal, a few minutes of slow breathing, or time outdoors can help.
- Move regularly and include strength work. Muscle and bone health become more important with age.
Why sleep and stress belong in an endocrine conversation
Cortisol follows a daily rhythm, and it responds to how much you sleep and how much pressure you are under. When that rhythm is disrupted for long stretches, people often notice changes in appetite, weight, mood and energy. Those symptoms are easy to blame on aging, but they are also worth checking for treatable causes such as thyroid problems or blood sugar changes. If your sleep or energy has changed noticeably, bring it up rather than assuming it is normal.
The gadget question
The survey also asked about biohacking tools. Per the Post, wearable health and sleep trackers came out on top, while 31% of participants chose "none of the above," suggesting the other options "generate more health anxiety than tangible clinical benefit." About 16% approved of either full-body imaging or wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) when you do not have diabetes.
The Post pointed back to my earlier comment on CGMs: "For a non diabetic individual, a continuous glucose monitor may cause anxiety over normal glucose fluctuations." I stand by that. A CGM is a valuable, sometimes life-changing tool for people with diabetes, especially those who use insulin. But glucose moves up and down after meals, during stress and with sleep, even in people with perfectly healthy metabolism. Without context, a normal rise on a graph can look alarming.
If you are curious about tracking
If you do not have diabetes and are thinking about a CGM or other test, start with a question rather than with data. What do you want to learn? Then talk with your clinician about whether a test can answer it. Often the more useful first step is a routine evaluation: a physical exam, your blood pressure, and baseline labs such as blood sugar or A1C, cholesterol, thyroid function and vitamin D when appropriate.
If you already have prediabetes, a family history of diabetes, or symptoms such as constant thirst, frequent urination or unexplained fatigue, that is a good reason to be evaluated rather than to self-monitor. You can read more about how I approach diabetes and metabolic care.
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Medical disclaimer: This article is for general education only. It is not medical advice and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Screening and testing recommendations depend on your age, history and risk factors. The survey figures above come from news coverage of a U.S. News survey, not from my own research. Talk with your own healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication or testing. If you are having a medical emergency, call 911. This article is not sponsored and does not endorse any specific product.
Sources
- New York Post. "The biggest healthy aging 'blind spots' — and doctors' favorite biohacking tools for longevity." September 1, 2026. https://nypost.com/2026/09/01/health/the-biggest-healthy-aging-blind-spots-according-to-doctors/
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "Continuous Glucose Monitoring." https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/diabetes/overview/managing-diabetes/continuous-glucose-monitoring