Can We Live Forever? – Pushing 150

Exploring longevity is truly the ultimate scientific quest, and researchers are spending billions of dollars to unlock the secrets to living longer. In laboratories around the world, researchers are attempting to slow down the aging clock. The biological changes related to aging may start as early as birth or later in life, after we finish growing, leading to an accumulating loss of bodily functions through changes at the cellular level. Emerging research reveals we may be able to influence these biological aging processes in positive ways. This has to do with how efficiently cells repair and replicate themselves, which affects your health, well-being, and the aging process in various ways. However, we don't live in a perfect world and our bodies face the daily threats of the four key mechanisms of cellular aging:

• Every cell in the body is bombarded daily by up to a million DNA-damaging assaults that can harm the cell's genetic database, creating a "typo" that may compromise cell function and longevity.
• Genetic regulators contribute to age-related cellular deterioration by controlling the dynamic balance between damage and repair, including whether a cell will live or die.
• Mitochondria in our cells create energy we can't live without. As mitochondrial efficiency decreases, cell function declines.
• Excess accumulation of Advanced Glycation End Products (AGE) can cause cellular damage that can compromise cell integrity and longevity.

Science has proven that many of the chronic diseases and leading causes of death can be prevented or at least controlled, often through simple lifestyle changes. Adopting the following healthy behaviors will promote better living and a healthy anti-aging lifestyle.

• Eat a Balanced Diet low in saturated fats and rich in fruits and vegetables to have a positive impact on health conditions commonly seen in advancing age.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight to reduce the risk for the diseases of aging.
• Engage in Regular Exercise, including endurance and weight-bearing exercises.
• Increase intakes of Vitamin D to reduce the risk for all-cause mortality, Calcium for healthy bones, B Vitamins to support healthy DNA replication, and antioxidant nutrients such as Vitamins C and E to address oxidative stress and cellular aging.
• Consider bioactive natural compounds that may play an active role in supporting a healthy anti-aging lifestyle.
• Resveratrol is a well-studied polyphenol that's been shown to positively impact multiple mechanisms of cellular aging, including DNA protection and repair, genetic regulators of cellular aging, and mitochondrial biogenesis that supports cellular function and longevity.
• Quit smoking. It's the most effective approach to reducing death and disease.

Finally, stress reduction, sufficient rest and sleep, and regular oral, vision, and hearing care are also effective tools to support a healthy anti-aging lifestyle.

Source by Todd Hanson