Healthy Aging……… YES WE CAN!

Healthy Aging….Yes We Can by James E. McMinn, M.D.

There are those in my profession who scoff at the notion of “Anti-Aging Medicine.” Certainly we are all going to age, and mighty modern medicine can not change that fundamental fact. However, the question is not “IF” we will age, but “HOW” we will age. Are there things that we can do which will allow us to live longer? Without a doubt, there are. Is there anything that we can do which will allow us to live better (minimal disease, high cognitive and physical function, and actively engaged in life)? Once again, the answer is unequivocal. Yes; there are strategies, which we can incorporate into our lives, which will allow us to live a more vibrant, healthy, connected life.

Let’s start with why we age. There are many theories of aging: the neuroendocrine theory, genetic control theory, free radical theory, and the mitochondrial theory, among others. Scientists debate as to which one or ones are the real cause(s) of aging. However, no matter which theories are the real cause of aging, the fact is that all of these processes can be actively controlled to some extent by the choices we make, and the way we life our lives.

Yet another, (not yet so popular) theory is the “McMinn Theory of Aging.” This also may be called the “Shark in the Desert” theory of aging. In its natural habitat the shark is the king of the beasts, a magnificent predator that rules the oceans of the world. The shark has evolved over millions of years to thrive in this environment. However, take the shark out of the ocean and put it on the desert, an environment for which it was not intended, and the shark has no chance of survival. It will certainly die a pathetic and premature death.

Similarly, human beings are living in an environment for which we were not intended, and to which we have not adapted. We are poorly suited for an environment of pollution with toxins, chronic stress, obesity, smoking, fast food, junk food, drugs, alcohol, inadequate sleep, and no exercise. Just like the shark in the desert we will age prematurely and die an untimely death because many of us have made lifestyle choices which are incompatible with optimal health, and we live in a modern world which contributes to our premature decline.

I had a patient in the office just last week who, by my standards, was a “spring chicken.” She had recently been to see her doctor for the usual litany of complaints that I hear every day, such as fatigue, “brain fog,” weight gain, insomnia, low libido, etc. only to be told “you better just get used to it, you getting older.” Unfortunately we have all been lulled into thinking that these conditions are a part of “normal aging.” I humbly disagree. For many of us these symptoms are not “normal” at all, but instead they are a product of a lack of attention to, and practice of, the fundamentals of wellness and healthy aging. Most of the patients who come in with these “aging” complaints can turn back the hands of time with the proper therapies and lifestyle changes.

I’m sure you’ve all known the 45-year-old smoking sun-worshiper who looks 60. Likewise, we occasionally meet a 70 year old who looks and acts 55. This speaks to the concept of “chronologic aging” versus “physiologic aging.” Chronologic aging is a measure of time, i.e. how many years have passed since you were born. However, physiologic aging is a measure of function. A fit 60 year old can mentally and physically function younger than an overweight, smoking, drug abusing, junk food eating, alcoholic 35 year old. To a certain extent, it starts in your head. The immoral pitcher Sachel Paige eloquently said “How old would you be, if you didn’t know how old you was.”

At the end of the day, we all have a bullet with our name on it. Over half of the deaths are caused by heart disease, and cancer. Can we change the course of these diseases? Absolutely we can. Smoking cessation, limiting salt intake, stress reduction, treating inflammation, managing lipids, metabolic syndrome, and blood pressure have all been shown to prevent heart disease. While diet, stress reduction, adequate sleep, weight management, and exercise have definitely been associated with cancer reduction.

The number one fear of the baby boomers as we grow older is dementia. The unfortunate statistics reveal that by the age of 80 years old, half of us will be demented. Your goal is to be in the right half. Do we have any control over our chances of getting dementia? Without a doubt we do. Consistent exercise has been shown to be perhaps the most important factor in healthy brain aging. There are many other lifestyle, nutritional, medical, and hormonal strategies for avoiding dementia.

Stress is the “elephant in the room” that we often overlook as a major factor in aging and death. There are many who feel that modern chronic stress is the real number one cause of death. The death certificate may list “heart disease” as the cause of death, but what caused the heart disease? It may say “cancer,” but what caused the cancer. If you peel back the layers of the onion, you often find chronic stress lurking in the background as the true cause of death. Can we do anything about this? Yes we can. The literature consistently shows that a stress management program can change the course of many diseases.

I’ll close with some real, proven, and practical solutions, which will help you, change the slope of your aging curve:

Maintain a positive mental attitude
-Proper nutrition
-Maintain ideal body weight
-Proper supplementation
-Optimal hydration
-Avoiding toxins, and when appropriate- detoxification
-Adequate restorative sleep.
-Regular exercise (strength, flexibility, balance, and cardio)
-Stress reduction
-Hormone balancing
-Stay socially connected
-Keep your mind active (use it or lose it)
-Avoid risky behaviors
-Avoid addictions
-Manage diabetes, lipids, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome

The take home message is that, to a great degree, you can control the aging process. The choices you make, and the way you live your life can have a tremendous impact on how long you live and how well you live. Start today on the path of wellness. I wish you a long and vibrant life.