How to Slow Down Aging

Do you know how fast your cells are aging? And, even if you did, would you know how to slow down aging? Wouldn’t it be great if we had some sort of wearable, digital device that recorded our daily food intake, exercise, sleep, AND monitored our rate of aging and potential for disease and deterioration?

Then we could see what we need to change. We could slow down our rate of aging through food, exercise, relaxation, or whatever supplements were necessary. Before we got sick and needed medications.

I get regular blood analyses to track biomarkers such as cholesterol, hormones, and heart, liver and kidney function. Most of my lab results are normal, but there are several that are slightly above or below what is optimal. I always ask my doctor that these number mean, and what should I be doing to reverse the trend.

So far, doctors have all done a minimal job of explaining what these number mean. “Don’t worry, that’s because you’re aging.” Occasionally, I get prescribed a medication for high triglycerides, or iron for slight anemia. Never has a doctor explored with me how I can avoid having to take medications by simply changing what I eat.

Biomarkers: The Information Gap

Not once has a doctor recommended nutrition or supplements or exercise (although they all know I’m active.) They ignore asking about my diet since I tend to be thin. Even when I’ve had bouts of gastrointestinal problems, and a diagnosis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, the only help that’s been suggested are medications (which have negative side effects).

Doctors are well educated, they have access to the internet, and most pride themselves on knowing a lot about health. I believe most doctors want to help us feel well.

Why Aren’t Doctors Talking about Food?

Our bodies run on food. What I put into my mouth affects my functioning, my cells, all of my organs and drives the numbers on my lab results. If my doctor were a car mechanic, and I wanted my car to run better, I’m sure she’d ask about what kind of fuel and oil I’m using.

Has medicine and health care become so specialized that doctors don’t feel diet is something they should cover? Look at it this way: aging seniors are greatly affected by what they eat, and what they have eaten over their lifetimes. Health accumulates…

How to Monitor Health Naturally

Even if medical education provides minimal course work on nutrition, I want my doctor to know the research on longevity and the kinds of diets that should be at the forefront of senior health strategies.

• Why aren’t they recommending healthy fats and discouraging unhealthy processed vegetable fats?
• Why don’t they ask how many servings of vegetables we eat daily?
• Why don’t they inquire about unhealthy grains, and how many carbohydrates and sugars we eat?
• Are doctors who are treating seniors aware and suggesting the benefits of intermittent fasting for longevity health?
• Do they ask about protein consumption and high-heat cooking processes that are carcinogenic?
• Are they aware of how many processed packaged foods we ingest?
• What about toxin exposure in our houses, cleaning products and toiletries? (Not to mention those carcinogens found in processed food products and sodas…)
• Are they aware of what a patient takes in over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and supplements?
• Do they ask about how much alcohol we really drink, and other drugs used? Do they inquire about sodas and high-fructose corn syrup sweetened drinks?

Obviously, it’s necessary to take medications for many diseases and diagnosable conditions. But long before symptoms show up, there are often measures of negative trends that could be turned around with lifestyle improvements.

I don’t mean to say all doctors are too hurried and funnel-visioned to ask these questions. Neither are they all focused on writing a prescription or recommending costly imaging or surgery. But some are. And many refuse to offer advice on nutrition for which they received only a few hours of education in medical school.

What about referrals to certified nutritionists? I’ve never had one, although I probably should. But how many nutritionists are well informed about longevity and what’s best for senior health?

Slow Down Aging with Diet and Exercise

What I am saying is that I believe the first recourse for treating symptoms should be to examine lifestyle factors that can improve biomarkers without medication. For example, high numbers on an HbA1C or glucose test might improve by a diet low in carbohydrates. Intermittent fasting could be another strategy to lower numbers. Exercise most certainly would help.

Until the medical education of doctors changes to include natural solutions through diet, supplements and exercise, people will rely on what their doctors recommend and that will often be a pill, or several. That’s what doctors know and focus on. If the only thing you have is a hammer, then everything will look like a nail.

What to Do to Slow Down Aging

In a future that seems to be accelerating with digital and informational technology, my hope is for better personal health education and monitoring using digital tools, watches, finger-prick lab tests, DNA sequencing and such.

Seniors are especially savvy, because they are a group most affected by diminishing metabolic health necessary for sustaining healthy levels of cellular energy.

Until the time scientists discover all the root causes of aging, and can prescribe safe anti-aging strategies, the most we can do is take control of our own health, monitor, record, observe and upgrade our common sense for optimal results.

Personally, this means frequent lab tests (every 3 months) through a program called InsideTracker.com. Using results of my DNA analysis through 23andme.com, the company is making recommendations to keep my number is optimal ranges.

What are you doing to stay on the prevention side of the equation? What steps can you take to slow down aging today?