Understanding Your Age
Age is measured in two ways:
Calendar Age: Simply, the number of years you've been alive.
Biological Age: How old your body's cells and systems are behaving compared to the number of years you've been alive.
The exciting news! While you can't change your calendar age, you can definitely slow down your biological age!
Signs of accelerated aging include:
Visible skin sagging and wrinkles.
Low energy levels.
Brain fog and reduced mental clarity.
New Onset Body aches.
Unexplained Weight gain.
Feeling older than you are.
Paying attention to the American Heart Association's Life's Essential 8 can make your biological age up to six years younger than your calendar age!
So what are the Essential 8?
Eat well
That means aiming for an overall healthy eating pattern that includes whole foods, load up fruits and vegetables, choose lean protein, nuts, seeds, and cooking in non-seed oils such as olive, coconut, or avocado. Choose whole foods over processed and sugar laden foods.
Be active
Keep Moving, Keep Thriving! Adults need: 2.5 hours of moderate exercise per week OR 1 hour and 15 minutes of vigorous activity per week. (Kids should have 60 minutes a day, including play and structured activities.)
Breathe Clean.
Don’t use tobacco or any inhaled nicotine products, including traditional cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and vaping. Avoid as much as possible all second hand smoke.
Control your cholesterol
High levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Just as low levels of HDL can contribute to decreased brain function. Limiting sugary foods and drinks, cured and processed meats, refined carbohydrates, and highly-processed or boxed foods will help. Take a tablespoon of pure virgin olive oil and cod liver oil daily to boost healthy level of essential fatty acids.
Manage your weight
Achieving and maintaining a “healthy weight” with an optimal BMI of 25. Worth noting: BMI as an indication of health, can be influenced by factors like muscle mass and body type and may not be accurate in some people. Focus on creating healthy habits around eating to manage your weight. If you’re unsure if your weight is healthy, ask us.
Sleep Your Way to Good Health
Get plenty of sleep. That means aiming to get seven to nine hours of sleep a night. Healthy sleep promotes healing, improves brain function, and lowers your risk of chronic disease.
Manage your blood sugar
The food you eat is turned into blood sugar (glucose) that your body uses for energy. Over time, high levels of blood sugar can damage your heart, kidneys, eyes, and nerves. Healthy blood sugar should be top priority. Research shows that regular exercise can help regulate blood sugar without medications.
Manage your blood pressure
Keeping your blood pressure within acceptable ranges can help you be healthier for longer. That means aiming to have your blood pressure below 120/80 mm Hg. Regular exercise has been proven again and again to help maintain a healthy blood pressure without medications.
The Good News
There are many ways to help your cells stay younger without prescription medication or gym memberships. This means you can:
Keep your skin and hair looking healthy.
Maintain high energy levels.
Think clearly.
Feel strong and healthy.
Age better than previous generations.
Your Next Steps
Give us a call or DM to get in touch. Our expert team, led by our nurse practitioner with 40 years of experience in the field, will help you implement these vital strategies for optimal aging.
Schedule a consultation today and find out how we can help!
Phone: +1 575-343-3204.
Address: 3850 Foothills Rd. Suite 13, Las Cruces NM 88011.