Friday, April 21, 2023

Healthy Aging Obstacles

 


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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