Healthy Aging
Americanshaveanaveragelifespanneverbeforeseen.Anaveragelifespanin theU.S.roseto78.7in2012.However,arewelivinglongerhealthier?
WhenIaskmypatients, “Whatisyourdefinitionofhealthyaging?” thereis sure to be a variety of answers. Almost all would agree it is the absence of chronic disease such as heart disease and cancer, the preservation of our mind, the freedom to move with little pain, and to be spiritually and emotionallyfulfilled.
Chronic disease such as diabetes, obesity, and arthritis in today’s society is NOT associated with aging anymore. For example, type 2 diabetes was a conditionnormallyonlyseeninadultsnotchildren.However,manychildren arenowbeingdiagnosedwiththisconditionnotbecausetheywerebornwith a lack of hormone called insulin, but because there is insulin resistance, a conditionassociatedwithexcessbodyfat.
Some astounding facts- 1 in 3 adults is pre-diabetic. By 2030, 50% of the population will be diabetic. One of you or someone you know has an autoimmune disorder (hypothyroidism, psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, crohn’sjustaresomeexamples).50millionpeoplearelivingwithsomekind ofautoimmunedisorder,that’smorethencancerorheartdisease.
Sowhatiscausingoursocietytolivemoresick? It’snotjustgenetics.Genes areestimatedtocontributeonly10%tomostdiseases.Weneedtolookatour environment.ThereisanexcitingfieldofsciencecalledEpigeneticsthatlooks athowourgenesareexpressedorturnedonoroff.Literallymeaning“above” genes, epigenetics shows us how interactions with the environment affect a cell’s expression or phenotype. There’s no clearer example of epigenetics in effect then when you look at photos of our aging president in office. The photos of President Obama’s black hair turned white and aging skin in a relatively short period of time reflects the expression of stress on a cellular level.
Stressisknowntoplayhavoconourhealthanditsconnectiontoourcognitive decline is what makes it linked to chronic conditions such as dementia. Statistically women are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia then breastcanceraftertheageof60.Dementiaandstrokearetheleadingcauses ofdeathinwomen.
The good news is that our cells have the ability to heal and regenerate themselves. Specifically, the body is designed to be self-regulating and healing. There are two types of nervous systems- the “Fight or Flight response”putoutbythesympatheticnervoussystemandthe“RestandDigest response” promoted by the parasympathetic nervous system. Stress reduction techniques such as meditation, breathing from our diaphragm, recallingpositivememories,prayerandspiritualityarejustafewofthewell studiedpracticesthatlowerstressandincreaserelaxation.
Like a fuel-efficient car, our mind and body are also going to depend on the quality of the fuel or diet we consume. However, it is not enough to eat a “healthy diet” anymore. Unfortunately, the soil and the processing of food have depleted many of the nutrients from our food supply. For example, it takesadozenbowlsofspinachtogetthesameamountofironconsumedin1 cupofspinachinthe1930’s.Forthisreason, Irecommendsupplementation to our diet with pharmaceutical grade vitamins. Among the micronutrientsItestforandrecommendare:1. VITAMIND fortheprotective role in cancer prevention. 2.PROBIOTIC to promote healthy immune and gastrointestinal function. 3. Omega 3’s from a pharmaceutical grade FISH OIL fortheanti-inflammatoryprotectionofourcells-eyes,brain,joints,skin, andheart.
Ourbodiesmustalsobeequippedtometabolizeandexcretemetabolicwaste products that get introduced into our systems everyday. In a recent CDC analysis,anaverageAmericanwasfoundtoexcreteintheurineatotalof69 different chemicals! Despite the environmental exposures we breathe, consume, and absorb in our bodies everyday, the good news is the body is designedtoriditselfofthesetoxinswiththehelpofourkeyorgans-theliver, gut,andkidneys.
We can support the liver’s efforts for metabolic detoxification by incorporating specific nutrients from foods like cruciferous vegetablesbroccoli, cauliflower, dandelion root, green tea, spices, and even dark chocolate. The thinking has been done for you with science-based products offered to patients in the office. I challenge everyone to undergo a medicallysuperviseddetoxificationonceayear.Themore“toxic”youfeel, themoreyouwillbenefit.
Lastly,moreAmericansarelivinglongerbutwithmoredisease.Thispointsto compelling research correlating the loss of the PROTECTIVE role HORMONES play in our health. A man’s testosterone level can drop 1-3% peryear.Awoman’stestosteronemaydecline50% bythetimeshe’s40!The implications for our health as we live longer means higher risk for memory
lossanddementia,bonelossandosteoporosis,spikesin weightgainaround thebelly andincreasedriskof diabetes and heartdisease,thenumber killer ofAmericanmenandwomenintheU.S.
Maintainingotherhealthylifestylehabitssuchasnotsmokingandmoderate alcohol cannot go unsaid when talking about disease prevention. Other importantfactors-theabilitytocopewithstress,tomaintainmusclemassas weage,topromoteheartratevariability,togetqualitysleep,andtomaketime for social connections- these are all part of what make a positive impact on ourbiologyandourqualityoflife.Hereistohealthyaging!
Dr. Kim Loomis is passionate about teaching patients to use lifestyle as their first line of therapy. She offers nutrition and weight loss counseling and bioidentical hormones as part of her healthy aging program. At your consultation you may be tested for micronutrient deficiencies, a complete hormone analysis, food allergies and environmental toxin exposures. Call the office for your next consult (562) 296-5528.
