Aging, Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine :: Health and Disease

Aging, Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
by author Garrett Swetlikoff, ND

How many times have you heard someone make a birthday toast with the wish, "Live long and prosper?" You’ve probably thought of this as nothing more than a good-humoured gesture. But science has demonstrated that humans have the potential to routinely live between 110 and 124 years. The reason most of us never achieve this life span is that we don’t know how to slow the aging process.

What Is Aging?

Gerontologists (scientists who study aging) define aging as a continuous, universal, progressive, intrinsic and deleterious (CUPID) process that decreases an organism’s ability to maintain homeostasis (balance) in the face of stressors and therefore increases the organism’s likelihood of dying. Phew! That’s a mouthful. Let’s look at this more carefully.

Aging is Continuous. From conception to reproductive maturity, we are developing, not aging. We don’t start to age significantly until between ages 20 and 30. Once begun, aging continues relentlessly.

Aging is Universal. We all age, regardless of gender, race or creed. "Normal aging" must be differentiated from the effects of specific disease processes that most commonly occur when we’re older (e.g. diabetes, arthritis, cancer).

Aging is Progressive. The effects of aging accumulate and worsen with time.

Aging is Intrinsic. If you lived in an ideal environment free of stressors, ate an ideal diet and exercised the right amount, you might live a lot longer than average, but aging would still occur.

Aging is Deleterious. It’s not fun or desirable, and most would love to be rid of aging signs and symptoms.

Why Do We Age?

Many theories have been proposed throughout the years, but why we age is likely due to a combination of biological factors. Following are the most popular theories.

Protein Alteration Theory: Age-associated impairments in cellular functions result from an accumulation of errors in DNA formation, protein and enzyme synthesis.

Free Radical Theory: Advancing age is associated with an accumulation of free radical damage. Free radicals are highly reactive atoms or molecules bearing unpaired electrons that can cause damage to proteins, enzymes, DNA and tissue. Simply eating and breathing can cause free radicals.

Organ System Theory: Certain organs decline with advancing age and their loss of function drives the systemic aging process. For example, age-related changes in the brain’s hypothalamus, pituitary and pineal glands cause the thyroid, thymus, adrenals, pancreas, testes and ovaries to produce less amounts of hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, estrogen and DHEA.

Gene Theory: Perhaps a certain gene is responsible for life span. If so, gene manipulation may be able to certain genes on or off to slow aging.

What Is Anti-Aging Medicine?

Anti-aging medicine is a model of health care based on the early detection, prevention and reversal (if possible) of aging. It is truly multidisciplinary, represented by advances in the fields of biochemistry, physiology, genetics, nutrition, exercise therapeutics, mind/body medicine and emerging medical technologies.

Although many health disciplines practise varying degrees of wellness medicine, usually medical, naturopathic or osteopathic physicians provide a comprehensive approach.

What Is An Anti-Aging Program?

There are several ways to address the aging process, which is unique to everyone because of age, symptoms, medical history and personal preferences. Whatever program appeals to you, first seek advice from a qualified health-care professional knowledgeable about anti-aging practices. He or she will conduct a complete examination and may order hormone analyses and blood chemistry panels, and tests to identify nutrient and antioxidant status, cardiac risk factors and tumour markers. An ideal anti-aging program will address the individual’s specific needs as identified during testing.

What Comprises A Typical Anti-Aging Program?

Since each person unique, no one recipe for anti-aging is appropriate or adequate for all. It does appear, however, that proper nutrition, regular exercise, natural hormone therapies and emotional health all contribute to longevity.

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Garrett Swetlikoff is a naturopathic physician practising in Kelowna, BC. He specializes in progressive and interventional natural medicine, which includes anti-aging treatment. Garrett can be reached at 250-868-2205 or gswetlikoff@shaw.ca.

Source: alive #241, November 2002

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