Aging PROACTIVELY

Aging PROACTIVELY

When we think of aging, we think of all the physical things that get worse over time. Common aging occurrences include wrinkles setting in, bones becoming achy, loss of muscle, fatigue, and chronic diseases. But what if there were no need to fear these things?

While there are methods that slow down or completely eradicate pathological aging processes, Americans keep suffering and die prematurely. The majority are victims of an epidemic of medical ignorance that results in higher incidences of cancer, vascular occlusion, arthritis, dementia, and, eventually, every other age-related disorder.

By following a science-based youth restoration program, you can take aggressive and successful action to delay degenerative changes.

The choices we make every day regarding our nutrition, how well we oxygenate and detoxify our bodies through exercise, and even the way we think and choose to feel all affect the aging process.

Each of us can age to our genetic perfection. It is, however, necessary for each of us to set up and follow our own unique and specific game plan to remain youthful and vital. By addressing the five most controllable causes of age-related diseases, we can put ourselves in a position to take advantage of future medical breakthroughs. that can result in dramatic extensions of the human lifespan while looking and feeling better in the process.

Each of us can age to our genetic perfection. It is, however, necessary for each of us to set up and follow our own unique and specific game plan to remain youthful and vital. By addressing the five most controllable causes of age-related diseases, we can put ourselves in a position to take advantage of future medical breakthroughs that can result in dramatic extensions of the human lifespan while looking and feeling better in the process.

CHRONIC INFLAMMATION

Inflammation that persists over time is one of the primary reasons that the body deteriorates as time passes. Because both internal and external causes trigger it, inflammation may be difficult to prevent. Americans put themselves at risk of chronic inflammation through low diet and lifestyle choices. For example, excess belly fat releases inflammation-causing cytokines, which could damage anything from brain cells to arterial walls to regulatory genes. The most commonly used blood test for inflammation is the high sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP) test. Any doctor should be able to provide this test for you. Ideally, the CRP level in men should be below 0.55 mg/L and in women below 1.50 mg/L.

High LDL (bad cholesterol) can also cause chronic inflammation. Ideal LDL levels are below 120 mg/dL; however, in some patients with additional risk factors, they should be below 100 mg/dL.

There is an array of clinically proven nutrients and hormones that lower the mechanisms behind inflammation effectively:

GLYCATION AND METHYLATION

It is a well-known fact that those with diabetes age prematurely and live about 10 years less than non-diabetics. One reason is the acceleration of a process called glycation, in which glucose binds to proteins and/or fats in the body to form non-functioning structures. This is most evident in damage to the kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels. Methylation is the enzymatic reaction within the DNA of cells for maintenance and repair. 

Aging deteriorates the methylation metabolism. The resultant DNA damage can manifest as brain cell deterioration, liver damage, and even cancer.

Numerous studies have shown that the following nutrients suppress glycation reactions and restore methylation.

HORMONE IMBALANCE

The cells in our bodies are programmed to function via communicating signals called hormones. Aging creates severe hormonal imbalances in testosterone, estrogen, progesterone (in women), and thyroid hormones that inevitably reduce energy levels, muscle mass, metabolism, memory, mental agility, mood, and libido. Besides, there are more severe consequences such as coronary artery blockage, osteoporosis, depression, and cancer.

The most effective way to achieve hormonal balance is by restoring them to youthful levels through bioidentical hormone replacement. Wich depends on the unique needs of each patient. Together, the doctor and patient set the dosage based on the experienced symptoms and the results of the careful monitoring of blood levels. Depending on a patient’s specific requirements, there also maybe benefit from other nutrients found in cruciferous vegetables that help the body regulate estrogen metabolites and neutralize dangerous ones. Some of these include indole-3-carbinol (I3C) at 80-160mg daily and vitamin D at 5,000 IU per day.

LOSS OF INSULIN SENSITIVITY

In youth, when ingesting carbohydrates, they are efficiently utilized to produce cellular energy with a minimal amount converted to fat storage. As we age, our bodies have less sensitivity to insulin and, consequently, higher blood sugar levels and sequelae. Even in patients who are spared and do not eventually become part of this diabetes epidemic, the constant exposure to excess glucose causes the circulation of destructive free-radicals. Linking these molecules to everything from blood vessel damage to stroke to cancer. This is why some experts call glucose the “silent killer.” Longevity researchers and geneticists have discovered that the ideal diet is low in calories and sugar while meeting all nutritional needs. The compound found in red grapes and other plants, called resveratrol, in doses of 250mg, has been shown to activate some of the same genes as caloric restriction.

Luckily, several natural substances can safely keep our after-meal blood sugar levels in check to minimize the production of these free-radicals:

OXIDATIVE STRESS

Left in the open, a freshly cut apple quickly turns brown. This happens through a process called oxidation. In our bodies, oxidation creates the unstable by-products discussed above called free radicals. Oxidative stress occurs when too many free radicals exist in the body. The regenerative and repair parts of the cell are too old to neutralize the damage. They inflict enormous damage on our cells is associated with most diseases related to aging.

Anti-oxidant supplements have become popular as a means to protect against free-radical induced cell damage. However, few people take the proper combination to compensate for the age-induced loss of endogenous antioxidants. 

So, what is YOUR game plan for aging? It is never too soon to start. It’s your life, and how you manage your health is in your hands. I challenge you today to age PROACTIVELY, not REACTIVELY.

By Roselind H. Bardisa, DO