We humans may be the only species conscious of our own mortality. We’re obsessed with how to postpone the inevitable, and if we can’t, how to make the most of our lives. For most of our existence as a species, there was little we could do about aging and death. In fact, for most of history, most of us died long before we actually got old. Over the past few decades, molecular and cell biologists have made advances in understanding the underlying causes of aging, increasing the possibility of addressing aging itself.
Researchers are exploring a number of mitigating factors. Beneficial pathways induced by caloric restriction to improve health markers in aging animals. It targets senescent cells that secrete inflammatory compounds that accumulate as we age. Increase the number of stem cells. Activates the energy metabolizing mitochondria within our cells.
All of these are promising, but it will take some time before they are proven effective and safe for humans. While we wait for the biomedical community to come up with powerful ways to combat aging itself, there are three simple steps you can take to use our understanding of biology and medical advances to stay healthy as you age. .
eat less
A calorie-restricted diet means consuming a minimum amount of calories while still getting all the nutrients you need. This diet is difficult for most people to maintain and can slow wound healing, make you more susceptible to certain infections, reduce muscle mass, make you feel cold, and reduce your sex drive. It is reported that. However, a balanced, moderate diet should provide many of the benefits observed with calorie-restricted diets. Michael Pollan’s famous quote is “Eat the food.” Not too much. Most are plants.
keep exercising
Physical activity activates many of the pathways that stimulate mitochondrial production. It also helps maintain muscle and bone mass, a serious problem as we age. Fights diabetes and obesity. Improve your sleep. and strengthens immunity. Aerobic exercise improves cardiovascular health. Weight-bearing exercise helps maintain muscle mass. Both are important.
get enough sleep
Sleep is essential for life, so all animals have a functional equivalent to sleep. Sleep is involved in repair mechanisms that prevent the accumulation of damage to cells, and sleep deprivation increases the risk of many aging diseases such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. We need to make sure we get enough sleep.
Take advantage of synergies
The combination of diet, exercise, and sleep is more effective than any current therapy. All three measures work synergistically. Each of these facilitates the execution of the other two. For example, exercising can help you sleep better. Plus, they all help with other things that help with healthy aging, like preventing obesity, which is a serious cause of many diseases in older people.
Please also note the following factors
stress. Stress is known to have a wide range of metabolic effects that negatively impact health and accelerate aging. Reducing stress is always difficult, but the three activities mentioned here can also help reduce stress.
Separation. Many population studies point out that loneliness causes poor health in old age. In an increasingly fragmented society, it is important to maintain and foster social connections as we age.
the purpose. People with a strong sense of purpose were healthier and less likely to die. Research shows that one effective way to gain a sense of purpose is to volunteer in activities that provide social interaction and benefit the community or society.
And get regular check-ups
Beyond these measures, there are some simple health precautions we should all take as we age. It is important to have your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes checked regularly and early. All of these conditions can be easily and inexpensively treated, increasing your chances of staying healthy as you age. Additionally, better markers for early diagnosis are becoming available for a variety of treatable diseases, including some types of cancer. Early detection of breast, cervical, colorectal, skin, and prostate cancers all improve clinical outcomes.
