I’m Nina and I was born in Finland, where longevity runs in my family. Many of my relatives have lived well into their 90s, a few even reached 100, and with little to no debilitating illnesses. In their 90s they were not in a care home but at home with very little help (just the odd bit of cleaning was done by others).
I grew up watching my great-grandparents still pottering around their little patch of land in their nineties: tending the garden and chopping wood (slowly… but still doing it). They never once mentioned “anti-ageing” or “biohacking.” They just lived well. And yes, that absolutely included treats (not restriction), like a glass of wine or my favourite sweet Finnish cardamom buns that filled their house with the most comforting, homely scent (they’re quite similar to a cinnamon bun).
And that got me thinking... With all this demonising of alcohol and sugar... Is longevity something written in our DNA, or is it something we create through our choices? Why did my grandparents live so long when they didn't go to the gym, restrict their diet or drink daily green smoothies??
The Truth About Longevity
Science used to think lifespan was mostly genetic. Now, we know environment and lifestyle play a much bigger role — up to 75%, according to new studies in epigenetics.
That means what we eat, how we move, how we think, and even how much purpose we feel can switch certain genes on or off.
In Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula, a Blue Zone famous for its centenarians, researchers noticed something fascinating. When families moved away from the area, their longevity didn’t follow. The genes were the same, but the environment had changed.
That’s incredibly fascinating and empowering at the same time, isn’t it?
It means our daily habits matter more!
Living Longer Isn’t the Point...?
I’ve often heard people say, “I’d rather live fully than live longer.”
But why are we separating those two ideas to make one exclude the other?
The real question isn’t about a fuller life versus a few extra years.
It’s about whether you want to spend decades of your later life battling fatigue, pain, or chronic illness, or actually feeling healthy and free enough to enjoy them! It's totally the other way around to what I hear out and about.
And that doesn’t mean cutting out everything that brings you joy in life! Quite the opposite. In fact, one of the longest-living populations in the world, in Sardinia, Italy, enjoys a glass of red wine every day. Researchers found that they weren’t marathon runners or green juice drinkers. They walked daily through hilly villages, which naturally gave them gentle resistance training. They ate home-cooked meals made from simple ingredients, enjoyed fermented bread like sourdough, and shared wine and conversation with their neighbours. Nothing extreme.... just a naturally balanced, connected way of living.
Living longer and living well isn’t about restriction or fear; it’s about giving your body what it needs to thrive. A lot of people today develop chronic illness far earlier than previous generations, often by their 40s or 50s, not because they’re unlucky, but because the modern lifestyle is quietly eroding resilience.
The Finnish Way ❤️
I come from a culture that values simplicity.. I think that’s part of the secret.
Movement every day — even my grandparents walked every day late into their 90s (and danced some tango too!)
Wholesome food — real meals, cooked at home, rich in protein, root vegetables, berries, and fibre (like rye).
Nature — quiet time in forests or saunas, letting the body reset.
These small, steady habits create strong bodies and calm minds.
Modern Science, Ancient Wisdom
Cutting-edge research is finally catching up with what traditional cultures have always known: health isn’t built on extremes, but on balance.
Yes, too much sugar is bad. Yes, too much alcohol is too. But the key word here is too. A little indulgence isn’t the enemy. What truly matters is a lifestyle grounded in whole foods, movement, and connection — all the things our grandparents did without overthinking them.
Other things include:
Intermittent fasting supports this balance by encouraging autophagy, the body’s built-in repair system that clears out damaged cells and keeps things running smoothly.
Strength training also plays a huge role in longevity by maintaining muscle mass, now recognised as one of the strongest predictors of a longer, healthier life, especially for women. And when combined with enough protein, it supports energy, stability, and confidence in your body as you age.
Equally powerful is community. Decades of Harvard research show that social connection protects our health even more than diet or exercise. We really are designed to thrive together.
Omega 3s: Recent research from the University of California found that people with higher Omega-3 levels tend to have longer telomeres — the little caps that protect our DNA and shorten as we age. In simple terms, Omega-3s help our cells stay healthier for longer. They also calm what scientists now call “inflammageing,” the low, constant inflammation that quietly speeds up ageing. By keeping inflammation in check, Omega-3s support everything from brain function to joint comfort as we grow older.
Omega-3s, in particular, are essential. They support brain health, hormonal balance, and heart function, yet most women don’t get enough from food alone. That’s why I created our Feminavit Vegan Omega-3. It’s a pure, plant-based source derived from marine algae rather than fish, rich in DHA and EPA. It’s sustainable, clean, and one of the highest-quality forms available today.
A Personal Note
Longevity isn’t about adding years to the end of your life when you’re too tired to enjoy them. It’s about improving the quality of every year you already have.
Because longevity isn’t just living longer! It’s living well enough to dance at your granddaughter’s wedding in the future, to feel joy in your mornings, to have energy for what matters.
And that’s what I want for all of us.
With warmth,
Nina x
Founder, Feminavit
