Reverse the Adverse

Welcome to installment #18 of the A to Z for a Rocking Retirement. R = REVERSE AGING Sounds like a great idea to me. But what’s the hitch? And is this what we really want to do?

Reverse the Adverse

I remember my 94 year old uncle who used to tell me how lonely he was because all his friends were gone. Living "too long" wasn't as pleasant and he thought it would be.

But you can't stop progress. Currently, scientists are testing a new technique which takes adult cells back to their embryonic form. US researchers at the Salk Institute in California, showed it was possible to reverse ageing in mice, allowing the animals to not only look younger, but live 30% longer. But all of this is still years away from everyday reality.

So how can we use the tools we now have to do some reversal of our own. After all, if you are going to retire, wouldn't you like to be in top form so you can actually enjoy it and make the most of those prime years ahead?

Let's begin with recommendations from WebMD. Pretty standard ideas, but definitely within your control right now.

Steps to Reverse the Aging Process

  1. Quit smoking.
  2. Drink only in moderation.
  3. Get your Zzzz's.
  4. Find a doctor who specializes in geriatrics or anti*aging.
  5. Cut saturated fat, up omega*3 fats.
  6. Moderate your total food intake.
  7. Be careful when tweaking your hormones.
  8. Take supplements
  9. Reprogram your vision of old age.
  10. Kick guilt out of your life!
  11. Don't be afraid to make a big change.
  12. Never retire.

The Chopra Center takes more of a functional medicine approach

  1. Control chronic inflammation, which is associated with several age-related diseases. An alkaline diet rich in antioxidants can reduce inflammation, cut down on joint pain and stiffness, and fight aging. 80% fruits, greens, and vegetables. 20% protein, carbohydrates, and fats.
  2. Control oxidative stress, which allows free radicals to accumulate and cause cell damage in your body. Switch to a diet with whole, rather than processed, foods.
  3. Improve your digestive system to allow more nutrients to get into your cells, increase energy and vitality. A simple first step is to start your day with warm lemon water and a dash of cayenne pepper.
  4. Detoxify your body to enhance your health and improve the appearance and feel of your skin. Drink lots of water and sweat a lot in a sauna or hot steam bath are good first steps.
  5. Reduce stress. All stress releases cortisol which is aging your body and shortening the telomeres which are the outermost parts of chromosomes in your cells. Telomeres protect our genetic data, make it possible for cells to divide, and hold some secrets to how we age and get cancer. Start eating better foods, moving more and doing daily relaxation practices so stress won't seem as unmanageable.

And finally - drum roll please - you can rejuvenate the mitochondria or energy centers in your cells using exercise and nutrition. Here is how it works.

Anti-aging Exercise

A study published March 7, 2017, in Cell Metabolism found that high-intensity interval training in aerobic exercises such as biking and walking -- caused cells to make more proteins for their energy-producing mitochondria and their protein-building ribosomes, effectively stopping aging at the cellular level. "Based on everything we know, there's no substitute for these exercise programs when it comes to delaying the aging process," said study senior author Sreekumaran Nair, a medical doctor and diabetes researcher at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. "These things we are seeing cannot be done by any medicine."

Anti-aging Nutrition

The latest nutritional advancement from the scientists at a leading nutritional company has shown that giving cells a combination of nutrients in certain amounts can signal the cell to produce its own antioxidants at 100x the power of eating all the fruits and vegetables you can consume. In other words, your body can start nourishing, protecting, repairing and recycling aging mitochondria to give you new energy and vitality. Stay tuned for more research on this amazing innovation!

I know you wish there were a miracle right now to reverse the aging process, but the truth is YOU ARE THE MIRACLE AND THE SOLUTION IS IN YOUR HANDS. And knowledge is power so hopefully this information will be the jumpstart you are looking for. You can do more to live longer and healthier than any miracle drug could ever do, because that drug, when it does exist, will never replace your can-do spirit and your desire to live a better life.

What first steps are you willing to take to start reversing the aging process?

Resources

webmd

Turning back time: Salk scientists reverse signs of aging - Salk Institute for Biological Studies

5 Signs Your Body Is Aging Too Fast, and How to Reverse it | The Chopra Center

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Carol Ebert

About Carol Ebert, MSN, RN

Carol Ebert RN, BSN, MA, CHES, Certified Wellness Practitioner, Certified Mindful Coach, Sanoviv Nutrition Advisor

36 Articles   207 Posts

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It seems that I am not on the "reverse the adverse" train.

Of course I do not want to age prematurely but I do not mind aging generally speaking. I am going towards 50 and started to use some face product to help with some wrinkles but I am not anti-aging.

I agree that cutting back on eating and adhering to a diet that can be maintained is important. I lost weight with low carb diet and exercise and would like to lose 10 more pounds. Exercise is very important for overall health at any age though. I am in menopause and use replacement hormones, which probably could be seen as combating age.

Obviously, the OP regards "everlasting youth" as desirable and something one has to achieve - I guess I am not on the same train....

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Specializes in Clinical Research, Outpt Women's Health.

Doesn't sound fun at all. I prefer 70 or 80 awesome years vs longevity í ½í¸

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Specializes in Wellness and Coaching for Women in their Third Act.

Sounds like you are on the right track. As long as we accept that aging is just part of our life span and we take charge of our destiny by making healthy lifestyle choices then we can make the best of the years ahead.

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Specializes in Wellness and Coaching for Women in their Third Act.

I don't want to live forever either, but I'm pushing for 100. If I gave up at 70 I would not be here today.

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I think there is a lot of unsubstantiated claims among the ones with more evidence, particularly: alkaline diets, lemon and cayenne pepper energy drinks, and "detoxifying". I see this sort of claims spouted on facebook and shared in memes. I did not expect them to show up on a nurses forum. If the author believes these claims are evidence-based, then evidence should be provided.

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Specializes in Wellness and Coaching for Women in their Third Act.

Here are some resources for your consideration. Once I opened my eyes to the world of nutrition beyond the medical model, I was pleased to see there were more answers in the Functional Medicine world that can help us combat the epidemic of chronic disease. It turns out that "food is medicine". Of course each of us have to do our own due diligence and draw our own conclusions about what works best for our own healing.

Sanoviv Medical Institute | What is Functional Medicine?

Institute for Functional Medicine > Functional Medicine in Clinical Practice

https://www.functionalmedicine.org/content_management/files/FunctionalNutritionProgramDec2010/4_Foundational%20Webinars%20and%20Reading%20Material/Textbook%20of%20Functional%20Medicine%20Chapters/Chapter%2026.pdf

?Habra en el futuro otros productos hechos con la Tecnologia Nutricional Hibrida? - Ask The Scientists

Benefits of Lemon Water: Detox Your Body and Skin - Dr. Axe

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