Aging is certainly an issue we all face, and as much as one would like to romanticize it, getting older just isn’t easy! But it doesn’t have to be difficult or stressful either, because, while aging may be inevitable, decline, disability, pain, fatigue, and dementia are not!
The physical decline which occurs with aging is more about accumulating deficiencies than it is about the passage of years. These deficiencies result in body-wide inflammation, which speeds the deterioration of each and every organ! Without deficiencies, inflammation is reduced, and the decline in function need not occur until right before the end, when true senescence (the final stage at which cells can no longer replicate) occurs. Every animal species has a maximal lifespan, based on the length and quality of their telomeres, the endcaps on each of the strands of DNA. But right up until the time the telomeres cease to function, we can live a high-quality life, as long as the deficiencies are properly managed.
The primary deficiency of aging, which leads directly to destructive inflammation, is loss of hormones, both in men and women. In women, the loss of estrogen and progesterone is obvious, but the loss of testosterone is more subtle, as it is with men. By age 60, the average man has only 40% of the testosterone he had at age 20, and for women, they have half as much testosterone at age 40 as they had at age 20.
While this is perfectly normal, it is also extremely harmful to the body. If women lack the proper amounts of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, and men are deficient in testosterone; inflammation sets in and multiple systems begin to fail, starting with the gastrointestinal tract. Often the first sign of gut inflammation is acid reflux and gastritis (inflammation of the stomach,) which results from lowered levels of hormones and stomach acid production. Without a well-running GI tract, digestion cannot occur properly and nutrient deficiencies begin to develop. Such deficiencies, in turn, lead to more issues: bones and muscles weaken, brain function deteriorates, sleep is disturbed, joints stiffen, mood declines, metabolism declines, and cardiovascular disease sets in. But, in truth, none of this needs to occur.
The secret to healthy longevity is not really all that surprising – simply maintain the body in the same state and environment it had when you were in your 20’s. It may at first seem impossible, but all it takes is a well-thought-out plan and a little determination. Not perfection, just recognition of what’s at stake and a willingness to keep trying. You’ll need hormones given in a physiologic manner, gut health maintained, proper nutrition ensured, regular managed exercise, adequate sleep, exposure to toxins reduced, and stress controlled. The body will function as it should, and the aging process will be delayed!
In order to assist you in this endeavor, we have assembled a team of experts in all of these areas!
An area of health not often addressed by medical practices is fitness. All of our medical programs include fitness as a vital component, and indeed, fitness is now considered a vital clinical sign. Studies show it is more predictive of mortality than is your blood pressure reading. We utilize the “Exercise is Medicine” program developed by the American Academy of Sports Medicine. Our fitness specialist, Bob, does a thorough fitness evaluation on all of our Tame the Flames of Aging participants, doing an age-appropriate fitness assessment followed by a personalized exercise prescription. And all of the participants can partake in the fitness classes or opt for individual classes.
Our Tame the Flames of Aging program is designed to reduce the inexorable inflammatory state of aging and keep you from wandering down the path towards disability. We address all the issues in a comprehensive and coordinated program. We include detailed and extensive testing, followed by individualized hormone therapy, nutrition, a fitness and exercise prescription for all aspects of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular and mental health, tailored detoxification, cognitive fitness, individualized supplementation, with IV therapies as needed, stress reduction, and sleep improvement. We utilize our amazing array of diagnostic and therapeutic tools to enable your body to regain its state of vigor and vitality. If you reference the section on “Our Expertise,” you can see all of the tools we have at our disposal to help you.
Aging need not be dreaded. We work to keep you healthy and capable of participating in all aspects of life, enjoying each moment to the fullest!