Aging

As another birthday steamrolls over my consciousness, I find myself searching for that Holy Grail of anti-aging solutions that has proven so elusive. A quick survey of my current understanding of the ant-aging literature revealed that this whole body of work is misnamed. There is no such thing as not aging! It happens! We are all captives of time and space and no matter what we do or say, we will get older. A better goal is learning how to age well. Live long and healthy, then crash and burn for a brief time! I love the term "compressed senescence" because it encapsulates what I perceive as the real goal we all strive for; that is living life in a state of good health and vigor and when it is time, and there will come a time, having a rapid decline. I would much prefer to live to a vigorous ninety and die at ninety one than live to ninety five and be dependent and sickly for the ten years prior. In that vein let me expound on a few things that may help both you and me achieve that goal.

If you have read anything from me in the past you know that I feel exercise is the fountain of youth. A 30-45 minute daily routine that gets your heart rate up and your body moving is quite possibly the best thing you can do to keep healthy longer. A close second is diet. What we eat really does determine what we become. My simple rules are; eat balanced meals, whole foods as close to how God made them as possible, eat mostly plants, low sugar, low fat, high fiber, and generally less than you have been. If you follow those two things you are ahead of about 90% of the population and well on the road to a healthy longevity.

I am often asked about vitamins and supplements and their role in living a long healthy life. The simple answer is that if we eat right you don't really need anything additional...but honestly, who eats right all the time. Reality dictates that we benefit from a basic multivitamin. Don't fall for the hype of slick markerters that say their vitamin is far superior to the their guys. Most of the products from reputable companies provide what you need.

The only additional supplement that I almost universally recommend is the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. I think the data is overwhelming that an abundance of these substances in either your diet or supplements can reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and free radical formation, all which have been associated with more rapid aging and disease. Honestly I know of very few folks who wouldn't benefit from a healthy dose of Omega 3s. Here there is a difference in the quality of the product. Numerous studies show that some fish oil capsules (a great source of omega 3 fatty acids) either contain minimal omega 3s or an improper balance of the various types. Quality and dose does matter greatly when considering the scientific data on the benefits of these substances. I recommend a proprietary brand of Omega 3s called Omega XL. It has stood rigorous independent evaluation and has shown to be consistent in dosage and effectiveness. The company that manufactures it, Great Health Works, has a long history in the supplement world and is well respected for the quality and integrity of its manufacturing process. I take it, and so does my family. That's the best endorsement I can give!

Live Well!