How to Slow Aging – EcoPortal.net

The question is as old as the world… is there a way to slow down aging? The aging industry is a $760 billion industry as we all chase after the fountain of youth.

But are there ways to slow aging? How much of this is under our control? According to several studies, a lot. And the secret may lie in our epigenetics: the study of how our behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect how our DNA and genes work.

So what is the difference between biological and chronological aging? Chronological age refers to the actual duration of a person’s presence, biological age or physiological age, on the other hand, refers to the age that appears and is much more malleable, depending on the lifestyle and food.

In one study, researchers followed nearly 1,000 people aged 38 and found that the age rate of participants varied widely. The ‘biological age’ ranged from under 30 to over 60, even though they were all the same ‘chronological age’.

The researchers found that those who experienced faster rates of “biological aging” scored lower on IQ, strength and balance tests.

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Now let’s look at some ways to slow down aging.

Stay active and eat more fruits and vegetables: In a study that followed 173 pairs of identical twins, high vegetable and fruit intake had the most significant correlation with lower biological age, while physical activity came in second. What was so interesting about this particular study is that by working with homozygous twins (100% identical DNA), the scientists were able to ignore genetic differences, which play a major role in longevity.

Long-term stress reduction: the two biggest factors affecting biological aging are chronological aging and genetics, but stress is now on the map as one of the most consistent predictors of shorter telomere length. Telomere length is a chromosomal component that affects cellular aging (and heart disease, diabetes, and cancer).

Reduced social interaction/isolation: If you want to keep your brain healthy, it turns out visiting friends, going to parties, and even going to church can be as good for you as a crossword. According to new research, frequent social activity may help prevent or slow cognitive decline in older adults.

To eat less: one study found that if we limit the amino acids in our body (through fasting), TOR (an enzyme) signals the body to be alert, a state scientists call a “mild stress response”. We now know that this “stress response” benefits cells and the body in general, and increases life expectancy.

For example, in a recent study, scientists looked at protein turnover in the cells of different animals with lifespans ranging from four to 200 years. They found that long-lived animals have lower protein turnover and energy requirements in their cells compared to short-lived ones.

Small doses of low-level stress: small stressors, such as short-term exposure to cold, heat, exercise, or hypoxia, are considered hormesis and actually lead to positive biological responses, enhancing resistance to damage.

Hormetic stress is known to activate cellular repair and rejuvenation mechanisms. Thus, while toxic stress can accelerate biological aging processes, hormetic stress can slow aging.

More things you can do

Having more children (if you are a woman): One study, in particular, showed that women who had more children had longer telomeres. She followed 75 women, all Maya Kaqchikel living in rural areas of southwestern Guatemala, for 13 years. The Kaqchikel Maya tend to intermarry within the community, and all of the women in the study had similar lifestyles, which helped limit potential confusion. After 13 years, women who had more surviving children had longer telomeres than women who had fewer children.

Healthy Vitamin D Levels: Healthy levels of vitamin D can help delay biological aging and protect against age-related diseases, a team of British scientists have found.

Scientists followed more than 2,000 women and found that those with the lowest vitamin D levels showed the greatest signs of biological aging.

Socio-economic factors: Research has shown evidence of large differences in healthy aging outcomes between socioeconomic groups. For example, accelerated aging among African Americans causes their biological age to be approximately three years older than that of their white peers of the same chronological age. This is theorized to be due to different groups living in their lives rather than genetic disparities.

Higher IQ: A study has revealed a surprising factor linked to our biological age: levels of intelligence measured earlier in life. Study participants who had higher IQ test scores as children consistently had younger biological age measures as adults than participants with lower childhood intelligence.

One possible explanation for this: children with higher IQs are likely raised by adults who tend to have white-collar jobs that are less physically demanding and require less exposure to stressors, these adults provide a support network stronger family, access to resources, and an understanding of the importance of healthy eating and exercise.

By Health Fitness Revolution. Articles in English

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