MenoLabs News | Tue, Nov 19, 2024

While aging is a natural process, there are ways to slow the aging process down*:

1. Anti-inflammatory Diet: Rich in antioxidants, protein, fiber, and vegetables. We can do this by eating a lot of fruits and veggies of all different colors, and including protein, healthy fat, and fiber at every meal. Limit ultra-processed foods, sugar, and alcohol.
2. Intermittent Fasting: There are studies that support time restricted eating (ex: fast from 7PM-7AM) can help with longevity. The fasting window allows for the body to engage autophagy, stimulate DNA repair, reduce inflammation, and protect against oxidative stress.

*Autophagy is a cellular process in which cells break down and recycle their own components. It is essentially the process by which cells clean out damaged or unnecessary parts, such as old proteins and organelles, and repurpose them to maintain cellular health and function.  Autophagy declines with age and it is believed that autophagy can help with longevity by optimizing the health of our cells. 

3. Exercise: Which includes cardiovascular, muscle strengthening, stretching, and balance poses.
4. Community: Social connections support our physical, emotional, and cognitive health.
5. Prioritizing Sleep: Quality sleep is critical for optimal aging by helping the body repair and regenerate.
6. Stress Awareness and Management: Chronic stress can accelerate aging. Being aware when we feel stress and overwhelm is equally as important as finding the tools to lower stress in our bodies.
7. Wear Sunscreen: To protect our skin from UV damage.
8. Preventative Screenings: Get yearly labs to monitor metabolic health, inflammation, thyroid, liver, and kidney health and rule out nutrient deficiencies.
9. Always Learn: Commit to learning new skills like knitting, photography, art history, or a new language. This helps prevent cognitive decline.
10. Prioritize Joy: Prioritizing joy and happiness can optimize the aging process by supporting our physical, cognitive, and emotional health.
11. Consider Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy, when used at the appropriate dose at the appropriate time, has been shown to reduce heart disease and all-cause mortality. Check with your health care provider for what is best for you.

We can’t stop the aging process, but we can avoid taking the slow, painful, and steady decline in health that many people experience. When we prioritize these lifestyle factors we can age in health and experience a quick and easy decline at the end.

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