When Did Aging Become A Bad Thing
A posh term these days is “anti-aging”. We see anti-aging terminology all over the place – in cosmetics, vitamins, supplements, prescription medications, etc.
Since I’m well past forty, I feel like I’m qualified to speak my mind. I don’t agree with the term “anti-aging”.This term simply carries a connotation that there’s something wrong with growing older. Quite frankly, I feel like I’m just now coming into my prime. Age seems to bring with it a degree of benefit.
I prefer the terms “Preventive-Aging” and “Longevity”. These convey a meaning of being empowered with the preventive measures necessary for living healthier for longer periods of time. Let me give you a quote that I recently read:
The gradual wasting away of the body over the course of decades is not a necessary or normal component of aging.
Rather, it is the natural outcome from a lifetime of unenlightened lifestyle choices.
The Conclusion…
Through unhealthy choices you may actually function and be aging biologically at the same level as someone 15-20 years older!
So, here’s the golden question…
How can you be one of those people who function and age biologically at a level equivalent to someone who is many years younger than you?
A Term That Makes No Sense…
If I’m totally honest, I must inform you that we, as Americans, have potentially been fleeced. Over the past 8 years, politicians have led us to believe that there is such a thing as “Healthcare Reform”. Sadly, this is not true. The reality is that it’s not “Healthcare Reform”. Instead, it is “Sick Care Reform”. Let me explain…
- Exponential numbers of Americans today are turning 65 years old
- There’s a nine-fold increase in the cost of sick care of those over 65 – 85 years compared to those prior to age 65 years.
• More than 75 cents of every dollar spent in healthcare goes toward treating preventable sickness (ie, diabetes, stroke, heart disease, obesity)
• Most medical providers are trained to wait until patients are drowning before they throw them a life preserver…. this is, in essence, “downstream” medicine.
What if there was a way to hedge the risks?
There is a way. It’s called “preventive-aging medicine”. At the Optimal You Clinic, we specialize in this area of medicine and partner with you to custom-design a preventive aging plan to fit your individual needs. Individualized weight loss coaching & hormone rebalancing are just a couple of the techniques implemented
to help achieve your goals.
To Your Health,
Brian G. Brown
Lifehacks make a big impact on your health
While we often discuss larger lifestyle changes including hormone optimization and significant dietary adjustments with our patients, there are also smaller changes to their daily routines that can have an immediate impact on their wellness. Here are a few easy tips that can make a big difference:
Put yourself on a “media diet”
How much of the nightly news are you watching? How many times are you checking Facebook? Is the presidential election increasing your blood pressure? Here’s a challenge: Reduce your exposure to anxiety- inducing media. Give yourself permission to believe that anything you need to know you will hear from someone else. Use your phone for phone calls, nothing more. By limiting exposure to the ‘noise’ of media, you will feel calmer and less stressed.
Remove Starches from your Diet
For two weeks, challenge yourself to be grain free: no corn, no rice, no wheat. Only consume organic protein, fruits and vegetables. Why? Starchy foods are high in glycemic index (GI). High glycemic index foods can cause a rapid increase in blood sugar levels. These swings in blood sugar can inhibit cognitive function, creating a “brain fog.” By removing starches from your diet, this mental fog evaporates, providing more clarity in your daily life. For a bonus, try going carb free for one day. The feeling of clarity and increased energy can be dramatic. Remember, the things we put in our body affect us both physically and emotionally.
Learn to Breath Deeply
Often overlooked, the art of breathing can have a significant impact on your short-term and long-term health. Deep breathing releases tension, relaxes the mind and can even increase digestion and assimilation of food. Practice your deep breathing for five minutes every day. Start by breathing in for a count of four, hold in for count of six, then exhale for a count of eight. You may not be able to do this right away. Once cycle is four of those breath exercises. Try to work up to five cycles. If you can get to five cycles, you will notice your mental fog will clear and you will simply feel better. The more you practice deep breathing, the better you will feel.Move Around
While this may seem like common sense, the importance of physical movement in your daily life cannot be understated. New research suggests that long periods of sitting at desks or watching television for long periods with inactivity will actually shorten your lifespan. If you work at a desk, get up every couple of minutes. Take a walk on your lunch hour. When home, walk around the house, or stand and walk in place while watching television. If you need reminders, smartphone apps such as Human will remind you to get up and take a short walk. Whatever you choose to do, you’ve got to move. Our bodies weren’t made to be stationary.
For more information on improving your health and wellness, visit optimalyouclinic.com