**Research in Context: Can We Slow Down Aging?**
What happens in our bodies as we age, and what can be done about it
Excerpt from an article posted by the National Institute on Health by Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.
Aging is a leading cause of disease and disability. This special Research in Context feature explores research into the biology of aging, including how to measure its speed and progression and ways it might be slowed down or even reversed.
As we age, it’s natural for our bodies to be more susceptible to certain conditions and challenges. Living longer brings valuable experiences and a higher likelihood of encountering age-related health issues. With our global population getting older, it's essential to consider how we can support healthier aging overall. Instead of focusing solely on individual diseases as they come up, we can take a more proactive approach by addressing the aging process itself. By doing so, we can help promote a healthier future for everyone.
Scientists understand aging as the natural deterioration of things over time. Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray from Stanford University compares it to a car: “A new car is shiny and functions perfectly, but over the years, parts show age. It may still run well, but wear and tear from use and exposure leads to dysfunction.”
Our Biological Age tells a lot about how we are aging. Here is a comment by Doctor Dr. Daniel Belsky, who studies aging at the Columbia Mailman School of Public Health: “We use the general population as a reference, and we say, ‘the average 50-year-old looks like this, the average 60-year-old looks like this, the average 70-year-old looks like this.’ We take your biomarker levels and line them up against that population average, and we say, ‘Aha, you look about like a 55-year-old, so we’re going to call you biologically 55.’ If you happen to be 65 years old, that's great news. If you happen to be 45, it’s not great news.”
I recall being told by a Doctor years ago after having a knee x-ray that I had the knees of a 20-year-old. At the time, I was in my mid 50’s. To me, this sounds like a similar way to tell. I would like to know how I’m aging because the more I study Alzheimer's and dementia, the more I see the same advice about being Proactive in our aging. Take exercise seriously and walk at least 20 minutes a day. Chair exercise can be similarly effective. Having a healthy diet is a current proactive plan. I believe that kinesthetics are highly beneficial in preventing brain aging by stimulating the “mind-body” connection. I enjoy practicing and teaching Ageless Grace, timeless fitness for body and brain.
Here is what they had to say about Lifestyle choices, in particular, Restricting calories:
Still, there are hints of lifestyle interventions that may have the potential to lengthen life and delay aging. One that’s been particularly well-studied is calorie restriction (CR). This is where you reduce your total calories but still get enough of the essential nutrients. From yeast to rodents, studies have found that CR can increase longevity and delay age-related diseases.
Over the long term, CR might prevent age-related declines in muscle function. Ferrucci is optimistic that even a small amount of CR could go a long way toward preserving people’s health as they age, although further study is needed.
But Ferrucci echoes Belsky’s view that there are many practical measures that we already know can slow aging. “Being physically active is the best gift that you can give to yourself,” he says.
Other measures he recommends include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, getting good sleep, getting all recommended vaccines, getting preventive cancer screenings, and treating hypertension and high cholesterol. “People have demonstrated that if you do these things, which are all feasible, you can increase your life expectancy by ten years. We don’t need a magic pill,” he adds. “The magic pill is already here.”
Excerpt of article by Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.
This is just my summary of the article. For full explanations of clinical trials and what they involve, please visit this link:
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging
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