Energy Span, Part II: What Actually Moves Energy Span

Most solutions for energy sound convincing. Few hold up under evidence. This Keynote Perspective evaluates what actually improves Energy Span—across six biological dimensions—separating what works, what doesn’t, and where the market overreaches.
Natalie-Kotova-Healthspan-Horizons

Natalie Kotova,

MSc

Science Communicator & Healthspan Research Contributor

Sherry-Yi.Zhang-Healthspan-Horizons-Leadership-2

Sherry Zhang,

PhD

Genomics scientist and systems architect building the infrastructure for computable healthspan

Energy-Span-Part-II-What-Actually-Moves-Energy-Span-mockup

Who this is for

  • Individuals trying to improve energy but overwhelmed by conflicting advice
  • Health-conscious professionals seeking clarity on what actually works—and what doesn’t
  • Researchers, clinicians, and innovators evaluating interventions across lifestyle, clinical, and consumer domains
  • Anyone questioning whether tracking data, supplements, or devices meaningfully improve energy

Why this matters

The wellness market is full of solutions for energy—but not all solutions are equal.

Many are built on plausible biology, small studies, or measurement tools mistaken for intervention.

This perspective brings clarity by asking a more practical question:

What actually changes Energy Span in a meaningful, measurable way?

Understanding this means:

  • Prioritizing interventions that produce real biological change
  • Avoiding solutions where evidence does not support claims
  • Acting earlier on the systems that most limit energy
  • Moving from accumulation of tools to sequencing of what works

What you’ll discover inside

What actually works—and what doesn’t
A critical evaluation of 16 solutions across exercise, sleep, nutrition, stress, devices, and clinical care

A new way to evaluate interventions
Separating validity from utility, and evidence from marketing confidence

The difference between measuring and improving energy
Why wearables and data alone do not create change

Where the strongest evidence lies
Why behavioral and clinical interventions consistently outperform most marketed solutions

How interventions interact across systems
Energy is not driven by one factor—it emerges from multiple biological systems working together

A practical way to act
A staged framework to identify what to do first, based on what is limiting your energy


The core idea

Improving energy is not about doing more.

It is about identifying what matters most, first—and acting on the systems that are currently limiting your capacity.


What you get with access

  • Full Keynote Perspective (PDF)
  • Access to the Healthspan Horizons Publications Library
    • White Paper
    • Keynote Perspectives series
    • Ongoing research insights

If we can distinguish what truly improves energy from what only appears to—
we can act earlier, more precisely, and with greater impact.

Get access here.

About the Authors

Natalie-Kotova-Healthspan-Horizons

Natalie Kotova,

MSc

Partnership Associate of Healthspan Horizons

Natalie Kotova is a science communicator and healthspan-focused researcher with academic training in neuroscience, clinical psychology, and bioscience innovation. Her work focuses on translating advances in aging biology, metabolism, and behavioral science into clear, evidence-based frameworks that connect scientific insight to real-world health applications.

She completed her undergraduate studies in Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology at the University of Amsterdam and holds an MSc in Bioscience Innovation and Enterprise from University College London, where she specialized in the translation of emerging bioscience and digital health technologies. Her research has explored the intersection of sleep, the gut microbiome, and nutraceutical interventions, with a focus on multi-system interactions underlying health and resilience.

At Healthspan Horizons, she contributes to the development and communication of integrated healthspan models, supporting efforts to make complex biological systems more interpretable and actionable. She has recently worked as a Partnership Associate, supporting the development of Healthspan Horizons’ first collaborative thought leader alliance.

Sherry-Yi.Zhang-Healthspan-Horizons-Leadership-2

Sherry Zhang,

PhD

Executive Director, External Strategy & Partnerships

Dr. Yi Sherry Zhang is a genomics scientist, entrepreneur, and Co-Founder of Healthspan Horizons at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, where she leads systems design and scaling. Her work focuses on translating advances in multi-omics, AI, and real-world data into infrastructure that makes healthspan measurable, actionable, and accessible at scale.

She is the founder of GenoPalate, a personalized nutrition company based on genetic insights, and has led cross-sector efforts spanning research, product development, and commercialization. Her work sits at the intersection of biology, data, and system design, with a focus on building trusted, privacy-preserving frameworks for the future of human health.

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