Page 38 - Tracy Anderson Magazine | Spring 2021 Issue

Who doesn’t want to have a long life? We definitely do. On a cellular level, we now understand that aging can dis-
However, an increase in life expectancy is only ideal if rupt our epigenetics (this controls what genes switch on or
there’s an increase in healthspan to go along with it. Living off), which can cause disorder and lead to the formation of
until 100 but spending the last 20 years in poor health isn’t cancerous cells. Our cells also naturally experience senes-
what we’re after, however it tends to be the reality. While cence as we age, whereby they lose their function but are
still able to secrete molecules that have a damaging effect
aging is a natural process in our body that occurs as a result
A LOOK of a complex interplay of changes to our biological, envi- on their neighboring cells. This accelerates cell breakdown
ronmental, psychological, behavioral, and social self, it can
and results in more visible aging. Telomeres (the end parts
also put us at an increased risk of chronic disease. This is
of our chromosomes) naturally shorten as we age, and this
why longevity, an area that focuses on extending both our
pacting our maintenance mechanisms. Genetically, we’re
healthspan in coordination with our life expectancy, is such impacts the ability for our cells to grow and divide, im-
an important pillar of overall wellness beginning to identify genes that when
and successful aging. With this in mind, switched on or off can impact our life-
when we think about aging, we should be READER’S GUIDE span. Additionally, on a behavioral and
focusing not solely on end-of-life but on psychosocial level, lifestyle choices and
all of our life. Doing the work to increase Chronological age your social support circles can also play
INTO in an unbalanced and unhealthy state is Your age in years age and your psychological age.
the time spent in optimal health and not
an enormous role in your biological
something that we should be working on
Biological age
every year no matter our age.
The changes in your There are both natural and scientific
ways to improve longevity and ensure
Longevity is of crucial importance, es- body that occur as a our biological age is younger than our
pecially now as we’re living in the midst result of age chronological age. Incredible scien-
of a demographic revolution. There are tific research is now being carried out
more people right now living over the Psychological age globally to study how to slow, stop, or
age of 65+ than there are under the age How you act and feel reverse aging with the aim to improve
LONGEVITY life expectancy over the past century and The average total burden. However, there are also natural
of 5. This is due both to a dramatic rise in
our healthspan and reduce global disease
Life expectancy
and practical changes that can achieve
dramatic reduction in the fertility rate,
which is a result of scientific advances,
part is that we can start them right now.
public health, improvements in living number of years a similar boosts to longevity, and the best
standards, education for children, pover- human expects to live The first is sleep. If we get less than the
ty alleviation, and medical care. recommended six or seven hours of sleep
Understanding the scientific principles of aging. Lifespan per night, it increases our risk of diseases
To understand longevity, it’s imperative The maximum number that can speed up our aging (like cancer
to understand the key scientific princi- of years that a human and Alzheimer’s disease). The second is
ples of aging. On a biological level, ag- can live. This has stayed exercise. While a person who is physical-
ing is due to the slow breakdown of our relatively constant over ly fit only declines mentally and physi-
“maintenance” processes. Damage and the past 100,000 years cally by about .5 percent each year, an
repair happens in our bodies constantly, at around 125 years. unfit person declines mentally and phys-
and both aspects contribute to optimal The years you live ically by 2 percent per year. The third is
Opposite page: Greg Rakozy, courtesy unsplash.com than we’re able to repair. This accumu- in good health or leaving time in between meals without
health. However, when these slow down
diet. Research has linked reduced sugar
Healthspan
or work less effectively, we become dis-
intake and intermittent fasting (going pe-
riods of time in the day without eating
balanced—accumulating more damage
snacking) to increased longevity. Lastly,
lation ultimately presents physically in
mindset. A key part of healthy aging is
the form of “aging.” For example, fail-
having a sense of purpose.
ure to control oxygen-free radicals can lead to damage of
our DNA, proteins, and cells; failure to maintain neurons
in the brain can lead to dementia; failure to control blood
As we continue to live longer and healthier lives, longevity
pressure can lead to stroke; failure to maintain healthy cells
principles will need to be put in place to match. This might
in the eyes can lead to cataracts; failure to maintain bone
mean an upward shift in retirement age, intergenerational
density can lead to osteoporosis; failure to maintain metab-
connectedness and equality, a more flexible and multistage
insulin can lead to late-onset diabetes; this list can go on.
lifelong learning. The opportunities are boundless. ■
36 36 olism can lead to weight gain and obesity; failure to secrete life, a longevity-promoting economy, or ways to promote