Does the cliché "ignorance is bliss" fit our Stone Age ancestors as they ate nutritiously; were physically fit; met their sexual affiliative and procreation passions; and did not experience acute stress? Their genes, and human functioning - thinking, perceiving, emoting and movement worked well for them . Then ,about 12,000 years ago, human psychology evolved with the agricultural revolution, industrialization, technology, information, science, religion, economics ,laws, politics , medicine etc. However, with the development of civilization and with essentially similar body and brain structure , man created additional conflicts, frustrations, contradictions and discord affecting health This essay addresses complexities affecting healthy aging.
The human genetic code was designed to protect the survival of our species . Genes that once saved lives during the Stone Age have now become major threats to wellbeing . For example, threats of starvation ,dying of thirst, and animal predators are not feared, except under conditions of war, famine , poverty and outdoor adventures . Unfortunately, our genetic code has not evolved and adapted to the rapidly changing cultural and environmental changes that took place in our civilization . It’s true that modern medicine , plumbing , sanitation and vaccines have almost eliminated many diseases. However, there’s a mismatch between the style of living of Stone Age folks and us . Genes that once saved lives and our species in the Stone Age have now become threats to us because of our psychology .
Every day we lose great numbers of cells from every tissue and organ system in our bodies . With aging , the process goes from gradual maturation - childhood into adulthood and then a decline in midlife and advanced age. Cells overcome by physical or chemical trauma are called necrosis . Apoptosis is when a cell ceases to function, resulting in its death . Necrosis and apoptosis are normal and inherent in our genetic design.
The following are five primary causes of aging : 1.Glycation is progressive damage to the body caused by high blood sugar. It occurs when extra glucose molecules become attached to proteins causing structural damage to the proteins that interfere with their function. Having well-regulated blood sugar levels is one way of minimizing glycation. A sugary diet leads to insulin resistance and diabetes.
2. Inflammation is a result of excessive quantities of hormone-like substances (eicosanoids )and by immune system chemicals (cytokines). Both increase with age and are necessary for normal body functioning in the proper proportions. Inflammation is the underlying cause of a number of diseases . Mark Hyman's food as medicine addresses this issue in detail.
3. Oxidation is when oxygen cells combine with glucose and a fat process takes place in the mitochondria and produces ATP , the energy that drives over 90% of all the body's cellular reactions . With unstable oxygen atoms, oxidation occurs and is known as free radicals. The production of free radicals is a continuously escalating process that leads to aging and ultimately to death. Free radicals play a role in development of many chronic degenerative diseases as they damage DNA. Oxidative stress reduces the production effectiveness of acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter responsible for memory and cognition.
4. Methylation is a process whereby some genes are activated and others are turned off during lifetime. Turning off the genes is believed to be one of the major factors that cause aging and death . Controlling methylation is beginning to be recognized as an important part of managing the aging process. One factor known to optimize its processes is by decreasing the production of the adrenal stress hormone cortisol. Stress reduction controls methylation and contributes to longer lifespans .
5. Telomere reduction is repeating sequences of DNA at the end of chromosomes, regulated in a fixed manner. With cell division, the shortening results in less efficient cell division. When reaching a specific length, the chromosome is unable to divide- causing cell aging and death .Slowing down the telomere shortening process is one key to aging. Examples include exercising, eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and veggies, keeping normal weight and controlling inflammation.
Returning to our Stone Age ancestors, the following changes have affected our well-being: 1. Genetically, our bodies were designed to protect the Stone Age threat of starvation. During the Stone Age, the daily hunting- gathering lifestyle resulted in feast and famine. In fact , bodies were designed to go three or four weeks without food. The fat cells , adipocytes, engineered genetically, helped survival. They stored triglycerides as energy . Those who consumed the most food , stored the most fat and were protected against starvation .
Our brains experience sweet , fat and salt. However, sweet and fat are very high in calories and salt assists with water to maintain critical metabolic balances. Today: the excessive consumption of sugar, fat filled foods, now causes obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
2. Our Stone Age ancestors ,with genetically designed bodies, were physically active . Our ancestors walked 6 to 22 miles per day in search of food, water, shelter, and companionship. Then came the agricultural revolution, the Industrial Revolution ,technology and information age that resulted in the development of different character structures. Today, only one in five Americans exercise regularly. Energy expenditure , in the form of exercise, coupled with a high calorie diet is the main reason why 2/3 of Americans are either overweight or obese. Our capitalistic economic system allows us to purchase exercise equipment, fitness membership, athletic competitions, and many recreational activities, such as walking, biking, swimming, and so forth. Moreover, one is not likely to get an overuse injury by walking. Walking is easier than running, swimming, biking, pickle ball etc. Become a Stone Ager and walk 6 to 22 miles a day.
3. When engaging in strenuous activity , humans can exist for about 3 to 4 days without water. Our bodies are genetically constructed to utilize sodium and hormones to hold onto water .High levels of sodium consumption ,stress and plentiful water becomes a genetic recipe for hypertension which is associated with cardiovascular disease, heart disease and stroke.
4. Cuts, lacerations and bites are common in the hunter gatherer cultures. Those who had excellent blood clotting with high levels of clotting factors like fibrinogen and thromboxane were able to clot blood in wounds, prevent infections and avoid bleeding to death. The threat of blood clotting helped humans survive in the world millions of years ago. However, this single event kills the greatest number of Americans if a clot forms in one of the coronary or cerebral arteries.
5. Genetically, our brains are designed to go into a fight or flight stress response. But ,with civilization , has resulted in chronic stress. Unfortunately, our brains have not evolved nor are designed to deal with chronic stress. Stone Age cousins did not have to deal with minute by minute stress from cell phones , driving freeways, meeting deadlines, listening to "news" ,inflation, recession, income inequality, political irrationality, health, death, etc. Chronic stress leads to disabling mental and physical processes or illnesses that shorten life expectancy. It’s the continued bombardment of the brain and the activation of stress cortisol hormones that leads to brain shrinkage. Chronic stress results in significant emotional problems such as anxiety disorders, anger, insomnia, depression and risk factors like hypertension, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and Alzheimer's .
As a youngster, aunt Eva said something to the effect that "if you don't have your health, you're poor “ and Gandhi “ It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver. “They are so very wise . Having optimum health reflects attitude, needs, perseverance, and athletic activities associated with well-being. An attitude is based on thinking, emoting , perceiving and acting while expecting a favorable outcome and necessary for a sense of identity within a particular lifestyle . How can individuals living in this informational and technological culture, not know prudent activities regarding health ? Are they ignoramus’ ? How does it happen that so many are physically and psychologically sick ? Do they not care and ignore the outcome ? If one has a cavalier response , that suggests the predominance of the abasement need. For a cognitive treat, to compare lifestyle choices , answer a questionnaire related to longevity, visit the website www. Livingto100.com. At that website, a detailed questionnaire based on current longevity research provides a lifespan prediction . Then follow your self-talk for insight into your thinking and behavior . According to Fred Rogers. "Discovering the truth about ourselves. is a lifetime's work, but it's worth the effort.
Reference
Successful Aging in Men and Women . Institute for Natural Resources.
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