Healthy Aging in the 21st Century

According to a UK report into the science of aging released in 2006, old people suffer between 8 and 11 years of general ill health at the end of their lives. Currently, 13.3% of the population in Australia is over 65 and this figure is increasing due to the baby boomers. Over the last 100 years, life expectancy has been steadily increasing by 2 years every decade. That means, for every hour that passes, you gain 12 minutes more life!

Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show that a boy born yesterday can expect to live 78.7 years and a girl 83.5 years. Average life expectancy has increased by 6 years for men and 4 ½ years for women since 1986. The 2006 death rate dropped to 0.6% per year, compared to 0.91% in 1986.

As we grow older, our bodies change. Our skin wrinkles, our backs stoop, our brains fill with plaque, and our blood vessels stiffen. Changes take place within our cells as well, including damage from environmental toxins and oxygen free radicals, the shortening of telomeres (the tips of chromosomes) as cells divide, and other things that scientists still don’t fully understand. All these changes increase our odds of dying, if not of one disease, then of another.

Recent developments in the field of epigenetics have revealed the ability of our genes to be switched on or off depending on our internal cellular environment. For example, researchers at the University of California shut down a gene called daf-2 in a microscopic worm known as Caenorhabditis elegans and it lived twice as long. The scientists weren’t sure what daf-2 actually did, but the results were undeniable. Researchers at Brown University found that manipulating a gene known as IGF-1 had a similar effect on flies.

So as the evidence mounts that we will all be living for longer, it seems imperative that we begin to look at how to improve the quality of our lives. Health and vitality is essential and something that we must consciously work on – and the earlier we start the better!

Naturopathy is a powerful preventative medicine and there is no need to wait until you are sick. Emma is happy to tailor an individualized program that suits your requirements. Hemaview Live Blood Analysis is also available at the Balmain clinic and provides a key insight into the state of your internal health. So, until we see you in clinic, keep at least your brain active with the following tips!

Have regular mental stimulation
Mental stimulation activates underused nerve pathways and connections and the earlier you start stimulating nerve pathways, the better. Increase your mental agility by regularly doing brain exercises. Select brain exercises that interest you and are reasonably complex.

	play mind challenging games: crosswords, puzzles, chess, draughts, playing cards
	read books, newspapers and magazines
	write letters, a diary, postcards and memoirs
	discuss current events with family, friends and others
	learn something new: a language, hobby or computer skills
	engage in cultural activities such as plays, concerts, museums or galleries
	have hobbies: jigsaws, painting, sewing, carpentry, creative cooking or gardening