Home > Health > Secrets of Longevity

How to Fight Aging and Enjoy Longevity

Many theories surround the process of aging and its effects on the body. In general, medical experts consider aging to be the result of small cell mutations, as well as natural wear and tear of the body. Over the years, the combination of these two factors causes the collapse of normal functions.

Taking care of yourself is important, because aging makes you susceptible to diseases such as osteoporosis, stroke, cancer, Alzheimer's and more. The more you know about your own needs, the more easily you will be able to enjoy your retirement.

Why Do We Age?
Here's a list of some of the most prevalent theories on aging:

• Free Radical Damage Theory postulates that aging occurs because free radicals (highly reactive molecules) damage cells by causing them to oxidize. Eventually, this process slows cell functioning and causes organ failure.
  
  
• Genetic Control Theory supposes that each person is born with a unique disposition to age according to his or her genetic make up. In simple terms, everyone is genetically wired to age and die at a certain time in his or her life, barring natural disasters or unforeseen accidents.
  
  
• Death Hormone Theory suggests that as the body gets older it produces a "death hormone" (DECO) that reduces cells' ability to convert food into energy. As this occurs, the body's metabolic rate decreases, causing a person to age.
  
  
• Telomerase Theory proposes that the body ages due to a decrease in the production of telomeres, an acid that keeps up the health of our chromosomes. As cells divide to reproduce, they shorten the strain of the telomeres, causing the death of cells that comes along with aging.
  
  
• Wear and Tear Theory sets forward the idea that years of abuse to our bodies causes them to get run down. Over the years, as our cells lose the ability to repair themselves, we age.

Each of these theories believes, to some extent, that aging is determined by the way in which genes and existing cells respond to the factors of life, such as diet, exercise habits, stress, environment, etc.

Can Longevity Be Increased?
Over the years, average life expectancy has been steadily increasing, indicating that longevity can be increased. Many people even view longevity-increasing habits as ways to "buy time" so that medicine and science advance enough to increase longevity or develop cures to certain aging diseases.

Ways to Increase Longevity
People can increase longevity and slow down the aging process in a number of ways, including:

• Diet: An anti-aging diet calls for healthy eating patterns that minimize fat intake and include plenty of fruits and vegetables. Eating smaller, more frequent meals, as opposed to three large meals, is preferable because it causes the blood sugar to remain balanced throughout the day. Eating more food earlier in the day is also recommended, because you can burn off the calories throughout the day.
  
  Some other healthy dietary habits include:
  avoiding caffeine and chemically enhanced food
  drinking ten glasses of water a day.
  eating fiber-rich foods
  limiting fat and sugar intake
  limiting or eliminating dairy intake (As you age, you lose the enzymes necessary to break down dairy products.)
  limiting red meat consumption
  using water filters for drinking water, showers and cooking.
  
  
• Exercise: Exercising isn't just about running and aerobics. Diversifying your workout regimen between flexibility training, cardio and strength training will bring far more benefits than any of these elements alone. Cardio benefits the heart, flexibility training increases blood flow and strength training increases energy and balance, decreasing chances of having an accident later in life. People who exercise not only live longer but are generally happier and have stronger immune systems, as well.
  
  If you don't currently exercise regularly or don't follow a balanced workout routine, ease into it, so as not to shock your body. Overtime, as you build endurance, you can slowly increase the amount of time you workout, increase the amount of weight you lift and ease into deeper stretches.
  
  
• Hormone replacement therapy: As we age, our bodies tend to produce less of the hormones that are essential to maintaining balanced moods, keeping up our metabolisms and preventing cell mutations that cause serious diseases. By taking hormone supplements, you ensure that your body has the appropriate hormone levels needed to keep you in good health.
  
  If you are currently on a regimen of hormone replacement therapy or are considering starting one, keep in mind that there are some side effects, including an increased risk of stroke and blood clot formation. Discuss your options and the potential for side effects with your physician before starting hormone replacement therapy.
  
  
• Supplements: One important thing to remember is that vitamins and supplements shouldn't be used in place of healthy eating. When coupled with a healthy lifestyle, however, they can help your cells stay in top condition, preventing possible damage or unhealthy replication.
  
  Because people can't always get every vitamin they need from their diet, taking supplements from all three groups (the antioxidant axis, the hormonal axis and the specialized functions axis) is vital to increasing longevity. A multi-vitamin is often the most popular choice, as multi-vitamins often incorporate many of the supplements necessary for the anti-aging lifestyle.
  
  The recommended daily allowance of different vitamins and minerals may not be adequate for those on an anti-aging diet. Consult a physician for exact recommendations, as they vary from person to person according to an individual's dietary needs.

Anti-aging lifestyles can take more than a year to completely adjust to, so gradually easing into good habits is best.

Other Factors: Retirement, Stress, Gender Differences
Lessening stress in your life is a great way to increase longevity, as is maintaining independence. Autonomy of life, maintaining social relationships and continuing to learn new things brings people joy and keeps them active. Challenging the mind daily has a great effect on longevity. This is especially important after retirement, when daily routines and social interaction can alter greatly.

Studies have shown that a woman's life expectancy is years longer than a man's life expectancy. One possible reason for the gender differences in longevity is the difference between the hormones in men and women.