Some things definitely improve with age.  Cheese and wine, for example. I’m not big on wine, but I do love a nicely aged cheddar. Even some people improve with age, becoming wiser and happier.

Of course, for many people, aging doesn’t mean improving, it means declining.  When I turned 50 a few years ago, I was becoming aware that my body just wasn’t quite as healthy as it used to be.  I didn’t sleep as well or have as much energy as I used to.  I was also developing more little aches and pains.

This realization didn’t send me into resignation, however. It  caused me to develop a keen personal interest in learning all I can about anti-aging, making it “center stage” in my personal research and practice. My plan has always been to live to a “ripe, old age” and to be healthy and active until the day I die.  I want to die “in the field with my boots on,” not wasting away in some old nursing home.  Of course, if my life is cut short because of some accident, that’s okay, I just don’t want any of this slow “wasting away” from chronic and degenerative disease that I see happening in so many people my age.

I’ve always had a healthier lifestyle than the average American, but that’s not good enough for me anymore. The little signs of aging I noticed in my body told me that my program is less than optimal, so I’ve been tweaking it and improving it. Anyone who tells you that you don’t need to adjust your lifestyle for maximum health, you just need to take some supplements, doesn’t know what they are talking about. Supplements can help, but 80-90% of staying healthy is all about lifestyle.

There is a common misconception that you don’t know you’re developing chronic and degenerative diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, mental deterioration, etc. until they “take you down,” because most people, including most medical doctors, don’t recognize the “early warning” signs that tell you your lifestyle isn’t healthy. They think that little aches and pains, constipation, digestive upset, headaches, joint stiffness, waking up at night to urinate, gaining weight around the abdomen, etc. are all just natural parts of “growing older.”

I reject that hypothesis. In fact, the more I’ve researched the subject, the more I realize that the extra weight I was carrying around my middle (which I gained under a period of great stress) was a serious indication that my metabolism was out of whack. And, when I see people who are in their 70s and 80s who are active and healthy, I know that we aren’t meant to deteriorate from degenerative disease as we age.

My Findings

My reading in this subject has lead me to I believe there are four major factors that contribute to the development of chronic and degenerative disease as we age. These factors are:
  1. Free Radical Damage
  2. Chronic Inflammation
  3. Hyperinsulinemia (metabolic syndrome)
  4. Stress (excess or diminished cortisol)
All of these factors is interrelated, because each contributes to the others. So, it’s not just about correcting any one of them, it’s about simultaneously working to prevent all four.  But, let’s just look at what we need to do for each one briefly.

Use Antioxidants to Counter-Act Free Radical Damage

Scientists are recognizing that oxidative stress, also known as free radical damage, is a major cause of degenerative disease and premature aging. Since rust is an example of oxidative stress, you can think of this free radical damage as causing us to slowly “rust” on the inside.
Antioxidants prevent this “rust” and so slow the aging process and prevent degenerative disease.  The primary way to get more antioxidants is to eat 5-9 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. 

The only difficult part of this is that it requires a little food preparation time to cook vegetables yourself rather than opening up a can or a package of frozen vegetables.  But even if you don’t have time to cook, what stops you from eating carrot and celery sticks, raw fruits or using some of the organic pre-packaged salad mixes?  Come on, it’s not that hard.

You can also use antioxidant supplements.  One of my favorites is Thai-Go from Nature’s Sunshine Products.  It has been independently tested and bears a seal of certification from an independent lab about it’s high antioxidant value and is the best product in it’s class.

I also supplement my own fresh fruit and vegetable intake using products from URI International, including the Feast, SuperCharged Feast, Berry Feast and Beyond Berries.  These mixtures of fruit and vegetable powders are so tasty that even children like them.  I’ve been using them for months and find them highly valuable “insurance” that I’m getting an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables each day.

Recently, I’ve also discovered the value of Kangen water.  These water is not only alkalizing to the system, it is also a source of antioxidants when consumed within a few hours of production.  I was surprised that it actually initiated a “cleansing crisis” in me when I started to drink it (as I thought I was too healthy for that), but the longer I’ve drunk it the more energy I find it gives me.

2. Use Anti-inflammatory Remedies to Prevent Chronic Inflammation

Years ago I learned the inflammation was the body’s response to tissue damage of any kind.  Of course, the inflammatory process is supposed to end with the tissue repairing itself and returning to normal function.  This doesn’t always happen, so chronic inflammation sets in and causes tissue breakdown. 

Chronic inflammation and free radical damage are closely related processes, so the same 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables also help to reduce chronic inflammation, but there are some additional factors that target inflammation more specifically.

 Omega-3 essential fatty acids are missing in almost all American diets. These fatty acids help produce chemical messengers that control inflammation.  When they are lacking tissue damage doesn’t heal properly and turns into chronic inflammation.  Omega-3 fatty acids are also critical to brain function as the brain is 50% fat and most of that fat is omega-3 fatty acids. 

Another key to reducing chronic inflammation is to get rid of the refined carbohydrates in your diet.  I’m taking about eliminating refined sugar, high fructose corn syrup, white flour and polished rice from your diet as much as possible.  It’s OK to use whole grains and natural sweeteners, but it’s not good to eat too many of them, either.  The primary carbohydrates in the diet should be fruits and vegetables.

Finally, the primary source of both oxidative stress and the tissue damage that causes inflammation is environmental toxins.  As much as you can, avoid chemicals.  If you don’t buy pre-packaged foods loaded with preservatives, food colorings, etc. that’s a start, but you should also look for natural household cleaning products and personal care products.

3. Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable

The best way to do this is to avoid simple carbohydrates like refined sugar, white flour and polished rice.  Instead, opt for whole grains and natural sweeteners.  However, as I’ve already suggested even whole grains and natural sugars can be overdone. 

If you experience a lot of sugar cravings, it’s because you aren’t getting enough good quality fat and protein in your diet.  So, make sure you’re also getting good fats and proteins. 

Start the day with a breakfast that includes both protein and good fats, such as good quality eggs,  turkey breakfast sausage, organic bacon, organic beef, avocados, a shake with protein powder and some coconut milk or coconut oil, etc.  Then, eat regular small meals throughout the day.  This helps keep you from getting on the blood sugar roller coaster that leads to chronic inflammation. 

I’ve found that Super Algae (an NSP product) and licorice root help reduce sugar cravings.  Take two capsules of each at breakfast, two more at lunch and two more around 3-4 PM if you start to experience an afternoon slump.  Another product I’ve found very helpful in balancing blood sugar levels and reducing carbohydrate cravings is Metabazon from Amazon Herbs.

4. Manage Stress

Saying avoid stress is ridiculous advice because stress comes into everyone’s life.  We need to learn to manage our stress and the best way to do that is to deliberately create pleasurable experiences for ourselves every day.  A pleasurable experience such as taking a hot bath, getting a massage or a foot rub, taking a walk in nature, sitting down and enjoying a wonderful meal or any other activity that engages the body and senses in a pleasurable way counteracts stress.  This is because it creates more positive benefits than stressful experiences create harm.

Adaptagenic herbs can also be used to help reduce the level of stress.  These herbs often have the added benefit of helping to keep blood sugar balanced, too.  Adaptagens include Eleuthero root, rhodiola, suma, ginseng, astragalus, schizandra and many other tonic herbs.  These herbs can often help with inflammation and oxidative stress, too.

My personal favorite adaptagen is still just plain Eleuthero root. I also really love the Nervous Fatigue Formula from Nature’s Sunshine Products. It helps people who feel “burned out” from stress to sleep better, have more energy and feel more relaxed.  I also like Sumacazon from Amazon Herbs. 

Another thing that benefits both blood sugar levels and reduces stress is regular exercise.  This doesn’t mean you have to go to the gym.  You can take a walk, bounce on a mini-trampoline or just lift some light weights at least three to four times per week.