The question of ageing and how to slow it down is particularly pertinent in the modern world where life is accelerated and often drains vitality.
Business and busyness go hand in hand. Waking up early, fighting the traffic, meeting work deadlines, skipping meals, drinking too much coffee, fetching the kids, fighting the traffic again, preparing meals, tidying the house and finally going to bed late each day all have age-accelerating effects on the body. There are ways the busy executive can counteract this aging process, but first we need to understand what causes aging in the first place.
There are six reasons why we age:
1. FREE-RADICAL DAMAGE
Free-radicals are toxins produced by the process of life itself. They are quite normal, and the body produces natural substances known as anti-oxidants, such as glutathione to neutralise these. However the body has a limited capacity to neutralise these free-radical toxins. Certain activities and lifestlyles greatly increase the production of free-radicals, beyond the body's capacity to neutralise them. These free radical-producing activities include smoking, coffee consumption, excessive alcohol intake, stress, eating fewer than seven portions of fresh fruit and veggies per day, and lack of sleep. These excess free radicals accelerate the aging process by causing physical damage to our bodies: they damage the collagen and elastin fibres in our skin, resulting in wrinkles and sagging, and increase the risk of skin cancer. They damage our bones and connective tissue causing arthritis and aches and pains. Free radicals also damage brain cells, resulting in memory loss and reduced brain functioning. Worst of all, the damage they cause to the immune system can result not only in infections, but also inflammation and cancer. This is because the immune system is responsible for killing cancer cells, and a free radical-damaged immune system is often not sensitive enough to identify cancer cells and thus destroy them.
In fact free radical damage is the most serious cause of the aging process, but there is something we can do to oppose this. If we supplement our diets with anti-oxidants, this will top up our natural anti-oxidant capacity, thereby neutralising these excess free radicals before they can cause damage. Although it is not possible to prevent all free-radical damage, taking a broad spectrum of anti-oxidants will significantly reduce the damage and accelerated aging that free radicals cause. Basic anti-oxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and betacarotene. However newer and more potent anti-oxidants that work on a cellular level are probably more important to take. These include co-enzyme Q10, alpha lipoic acid, grapeseed extract, green tea polyphenols, resveratrol and lycopene. No one anti-oxidant should be taken on its own, since they each neutralise free radicals in different parts of the body. It is very important to use a broad-spectrum anti-oxidant that contains not only a variety of these anti-oxidants, but high enough quanities to effectively netralise the volume of free-radicals produced. Three good anti-oxidants on the market that I recommend are ACES-PlusTM, Super Nutrient Anti-OxidantTM, or Advanced Cellular Anti-OxidantTM. They are available from most pharmacies or health shops. The most important time to take anti-oxidants is in the morning with breakfast, since free radicals are produced mostly during the day, and less so at night time.
2. AGE-ACCELERATING HORMONES: CORTISOL AND ADRENALINE
In Decemeber 2006, New Scientist magazine1 reported on research published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health2. The findings were that the pressure of meeting work deadlines results in a 600% increased chance of suffering a heart attack over the course of the next day. Furthermore, workplace competition doubled the ongoing risk of heart attack. This research also showed that taking on extra work responsibilities over the last year increased the chance of suffering a heart attack by four times in women and over six times in men. Financial worries tripled the risk of heart attack.
So why does this happen? The answer is hormones! In particular, cortisol and adrenaline, the two most age-accelerating and heart-damaging hormones that our bodies produce. Whenever we are exposed to workplace pressure, cortisol and adrenaline levels rise, helping us perform under pressure. Without these powerful hormones we would crack under the slightest pressure or have a nervous breakdown. But our bodies aren't designed to be exposed to cortisol and adrenaline for prolonged periods. From an evolutionary perspective, cortisol and adrenaline are ‘fight or flight' hormones. We are designed to be exposed to them for short periods of time only, as in days gone by when running away from a lion about to make us its prey. Modern-day stress causes an almost permanent exposure to these hormones, and that's where the danger lies.
Continued exposure to these hormones causes profound damage to our organ systems. Cortisol suppresses immune function, increases the risk of diabetes, and causes memory loss. This is the reason why many people forget things when under intense pressure. Adrenaline raises blood pressure and is directly toxic to the brain and heart, thereby increasing the risk of heart attack or stroke. Both cortisol and adrenaline upset the balance of brain neurotransmitters, which can result in depression, anxiety and insomnia. They can also suppress thyroid function, causing hypothyroidism and fatigue.
So what can we do to protect ourselves from the heart-damaging and other effects of these ageing homones?
Plant extracts from Rhodiola Rosea and Ashwgandha (contained in the product Stress Damage ControlTM), prevent the adrenals from producing excessive cortisol and adrenaline, while also directly protecting the heart and brain from raised blood pressure, heart attack and the symptoms of stress such as memory loss, fatigue, insomnia and feeling overwhelmed.
3. LOW SEX HORMONES
As we age, anti-aging hormone levels decline. These hormones are DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) (in both sexes); oestrogen and progesterone (in women); and testosterone (in men). These declining hormones are a major cause of the physical and mental signs and symptoms of ageing. By going for a simple blood test at a pathology lab such as Lancet, Pathcare or Ampath, your hormone levels can be checked. These hormones are available on prescription from your doctor, who can prescribe them in a capsule or as a transdermal cream applied to the skin, which is then absorbed into the bloodstream. This replenishes these hormones back to youthful levels, to help slow down the ageing process. This replenishment is important for both men and women. Let's take a closer look at each of these hormones.
DHEA
DHEA is a hormone common to both sexes. It is the precursor hormone that your body uses to make testosterone in men, and oestrogen in women. DHEA is also critical for correct immune system function. As DHEA levels drop with age, the immune system can become unbalanced increasing your risk of infections and auto-immune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis. DHEA is also responsible for maintaining lean muscle mass and optimal metabolism. Low levels of DHEA result in a loss of muscle mass and increased body fat percentage. DHEA also provides a sense of wellbeing, optimal energy levels and boosts libido. DHEA levels decline rapidly after the age of 40. Anybody over the age of 40 should have their DHEA levels checked, and if low, DHEA can be prescribed by a doctor (DHEA is a schedule 5 prescription medicine). DHEA should not be used by people who have normal DHEA levels, nor should too much of it be used (i.e. blood levels should not exceed normal youthful levels), since this can cause aggression and heart beat arrhythmias, and may increase the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers (such as prostate or breast cancer). The usual dose is one 25 mg capsule daily for women, and one 50 mg capsule daily for men.
Oestrogen and progesterone (women only)
Oestrogen and progesterone levels decline after menopause (age 45 - 55). This can result in mood swings, depression, anxiety, insomnia, reduced sex drive and osteoporosis. Three oestrogens occur naturally in the body (oestrogens that occur naturally in the body are termed bio-identical oestrogens): oestradiol, oestrone, and oestriol. Oestradiol is the most potent and effective, but high doses can increase the risk of breast cancer. Oestriol is the safest and most abundant oestrogen. Although occurring naturally in the body, oestrone has been associated with breast cancer risk. Therefore women with low levels of oestrogen or those experiencing symptoms of menopause, should be prescribed a transdermal oestrogen cream that replenishes oestradiol and oestriol. The brand name of this product is Bi-E cream. Once again, oestrogen should not be oversupplied or the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers can increase. Progesterone is essential for helping to protect against breast cancer as well as promoting healthy sleeping patterns. You don't need a prescription for progesterone cream. All women past menopause should apply progesterone cream daily, irrespective of whether they are on oestrogen replacement therapy.
Testosterone (men)
Testosterone levels decline in men, particularly over the age of 50. This results in loss of muscle mass, increased body fat percentage, reduced mental acuity, loss of libido and lower energy levels. All men over 50 should have their testosterone levels checked. If low, your doctor can prescribe a 2.5% or 5% testosterone cream which when applied to the skin daily, gets absorbed into the bloodstream to replenish levels to within the normal range. Once again, don't apply too much so that levels go above the normal range, since this can increase the risk of prostate cancer. A simple blood test every 6 months will ensure that your dosage is correct (dosage with all creams can be increased or decreased depending on blood results). Recent research shows that women need tesoterone too, albeit at dosages 10 - 20 times lower than men. Testosterone is responsible for libido and lean muscle mass in women. There are weaker testosterone creams made specifically for women.
4. SUGAR DAMAGE
A diet that is low in fibre or high in refined carbohydrates such as sugar, pasta, potatoes, biscuits, or sweets/chocolate causes damage to cells through a process known as glycation. Glycation accelerates ageing by damaging cells and causes the build-up of a waste product inside the body known as lipofuscin. Lipofuscin can accumulate anywhere in the body. When it accumulates in the brain, it can result in memory problems. When it accumulates in the skin, it is visible as liver/age spots. There is a non-prescription vitamin known as Benfotiamin minimises glycation. So if you have a sweet tooth and consume too many refined carbohydrates, take one 50-100 mg of benfotiamine twice daily with meals. If you suspect that you have accumulated lipofuscin over the years, then you can add an amino acid called carnosine, one capsule twice daily; and alpha-lipoic acid, 1 capsule daily. These help detoxify the body of lipofuscin.
5. INFLAMMATION
Inflammatory diseases such as arthritis cause the release of three heart-toxic substances known as lipoprotein-a, fibrinogen and C-reactive protein. Over many years these chemicals can damage the heart and blood vessels, resulting in cardiovascular disease. If you do suffer from chronic inflammation, have your blood levels of these three chemicals checked. If they are high, then supplementation with curcumin (an extract from turmeric spice), omega-3 fish oils and N-acetyl-cysteine will help keep these inflammatory chemicals under control. You don't need a prescription for these.
6. GENETICS
Our DNA strongly influences the rate at which we age. A gene-activating protein, known as SIR2 (Silent Information Regulator 2) controls the rate at which our DNA allows us to age. The higher the levels of SIR2, the slower we age. Research conducted at Harvard Medical School over the last 6 years has shown that a natural protein called resveratrol stimulates the release of SIR2 and slows down the rate that human cells age by up to 24%. Resveratrol has recently become available in South Africa and does not require a prescription. Resveratrol capsules, 20 - 40 mg daily (1 - 2 capsules daily), should ideally be commenced from the age of 30, although it is never too late to start. Resveratrol has also been shown to protect the heart and reduce the risk of many cancers, so there is more than one reason to take it.
With healthy lifestyle and diet, stress-management, adequate sleep and exercise and hormone/dietary supplementation, there is a lot that can be done to slow down the rate of aging and increase our number of healthy, disease-free, quality of life years.
For more information on bio-identical hormone replenishment or anti-aging supplementation, contact Solal Anti-Aging Technologies, Helpline: 011-783 3939 or e-mail: solal@solaltech.com
references:
1)
Davis, K; Stressful deadlines boost heart attack risk; New Scientist; 14 Decvember 2004 (http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn6786.html)
2)
Möller J, Theorell T, de Faire U, Ahlbom A, Hallqvist J.; Work related stressful life events and the risk of myocardial infarction. Case-control and case-crossover analyses within the Stockholm heart epidemiology programme; Epidemiol Community Health. 2005 Jan;59(1):23-30.
BRENT MURPHY, B.PHARM (RHODES), MPS, IS DIRECTOR OF PROFESSIONAL AFFAIRS (RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT & TRAINING) FOR SOLAL TECHNOLOGIES. HE IS ALSO AN EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE HPA