Aging actually begins in the 20’s to 30’s but most of us will not become aware that our body is aging until we reach 40 or so, even though many of our anti-aging hormones have already dropped significantly. By the late 50’s and 60’s, many people begin to both see and feel the effects of natural aging. To a great extent, this aging can be prevented, and in some cases even reversed.
Although anti-aging medicine promotes longevity, we are not just talking about longevity. Our goal should be to live to be ancient in years but still youthful in body and mind. It is not necessary for most of us to suffer from premature heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, cancer, arthritis, Alzheimer’s and other degenerative diseases, which probably account for 90% of the diseases due to the natural aging process. We can prevent many of these conditions if we accept and practice this new science of Anti-Aging Medicine.
Reaching 100, or possibly 120 years and still looking healthy and vigorous is now thought possible. It depends on your commitment and the age when you begin this program.
There are basically three common denominators that have been proven to work: nutrition, exercise, and hormone regulation and supplementation – especially hormones.
Regular exercise, advanced nutrition and biochemical balance are all essential but, without a doubt, preventing and/or reversing aging is only possible with hormone regulation and control for both men and women. Depending on your age and health parameters, there should be a specific, customized program designed just for you
WHAT HORMONES ARE WE TALKING ABOUT?
Estrogen, Testosterone, Progesterone, Pregnenolone, DHEA, Thyroid, Insulin and the newly researched hormone called the Human Growth Hormone (HGH). In reality, however, the hormones are all interrelated and all have to be present in the proper amounts working together harmoniously to prevent aging. These can be measured by routine laboratory testing and balanced together by occasional monitoring.
Hormone Analysis
Human Growth Hormone (HGH), thyroid, DHEA, Melatonin, Estrogen, Progesterone, Cortisone, Glucogon, Insulin and others are all very important. Since hormones influence and regulate the body’s functions it can be assumed that this involves the aging process as well. In fact, many hormones diminish as we grow older and the aging effects thus gradually appear. In the early teens, the HGH measures several hundred but in our 40’s is much lower and into our 70’s drops to less than 100. The HGH has been attributed to such a great number of Anti-Aging benefits that it sounds incredible! However, DHEA shares a similar list of benefits.
Therefore, we keep searching for methods of improving our HGH and other hormone levels as they diminish. Remember that all the hormones are important as they each must have a specific target receptor. It does appear that the HGH is one of the master controls, but improving levels of the remaining hormones may also raise the levels of HGH. The hormones work together like a well rehearsed symphony, in that each one contributes toward total good health.
At the initial Anti-Aging consult your HGH will be measured by measuring the IGF1 which acts as your HGH monitor. Your DHEA, Sex Hormones will also be measured as well as your thyroid. These levels will help establish an important part of the Anti-Aging program. Your progress will be monitored by their repeat values and how you look and feel. The Sex Hormones are especially important in the Pre-menopausal, Peri-menopausal, and Post-menopausal women and Anti-Aging Andropausal men as well. Remember the usual deteriorating aging process need not be inevitable, and most of us want to look as good as we feel and feel as good as we look.
Also realize that as Anti-Aging Science progresses, as it will by leaps and bounds, we must be looking for and adopting further improvements and new discoveries. One recent discovery is the now available product 7 Keto DHEA. This product appears to have many of the benefits of DHEA without affecting the levels of either estrogen or testosterone. Your Anti-Aging physician will continue his Anti-Aging research and incorporate new developments as they occur.
The following is a list of potential benefits of Anti-Aging Medicine that have been reported with HGH therapy:
- Improved memory
- Improvement of Alzheimer’s
- Regeneration of the brain, heart, liver, and other organs.
- Improved sexual function
- Enhanced immunity with increased resistance to infection
- Improved healing of wounds and fractures
- Hair regrowth and color restored
- Improved vision
- Improved exercise tolerance
- Increased muscle mass
- Reduction of fat and cellulite
- Increased energy and stamina
- Increase in good cholesterol and HDL, and decrease in LDL (bad cholesterol).
- Reversal of osteoporosis and strengthening of bones
- Elevation of moods
- Improved sleep patterns
- Improved elasticity and thickness of skin
What is homocysteine and why is it important for Anti Aging?
Homocysteine and its health related complications has been know about for 30 years, but unfortunately only recently has it become rediscovered and included into traditional medicine. Homocysteine is an important amino acid used to build certain body proteins. There is a large amount of homocysteine in certain dietary proteins and the excess not utilized must be broken down to prevent damage to blood vessels resulting in heart attacks and strokes.
Some people, regardless of diet, have higher levels than others and without treatment regardless of their cholesterol, must control the level of homocysteine to prevent arteriosclerosis and damage to the arteries. Your level should not be above 10 and ideally should be around 7 or 8. The good news is that usually it can be easily controlled with certain B vitamins. Hopefully the test will report your level as within normal limits but if not, corrective measures will be recommended.
In Men the PSA tests should be measured as it is still not known whether DHEA or other hormones supplemented can adversely affect a preexisting cancer. In addition, it is our opinion that there are certain medical circumstances in which hormones should definitely not be taken. Unfortunately many people today are randomly taking over-the-counter hormones such as DHEA with absolutely no monitoring or control.
Diet Instruction
You may already know about cholesterol and you have now heard about homocysteine, but you may not be familiar with glycemic control. One of the Major components of Anti-Aging is a low glycemic diet. This type of diet is not really difficult and offers so many health benefits that cannot be attained any other way.
There are several books that describe this such as, “Sugar Busters”, “Protein Power”, and “Mastering the Zone”. The basis of the diet is controlling the level of insulin and another pancreatic hormone called Glucogon. Each food has a “glycemic index”, which means how high the insulin level rises when a single food is ingested as compared to how high the level of insulin rises when just glucose is ingested. By following the proper glycemic control diet, you actually balance your body chemistry which tends to elevate your good cholesterol and lower your bad cholesterol.
It also allows the secretion of Glucogon which increases the HGH with all its benefits. On the other hand, an insulin dominant diet tends to increase your cortisol which may increase the degree of deterioration of aging. It can reduce many damaging inflammatory conditions, heart attacks, and strokes. It can even reduce your overall allergy tendencies if you have them. Most patients also notice a tremendous increase in energy and enjoy overall better health.