Do you feel like the weight of gravity is setting in? You keep telling yourself, that you’re too young to feel old, but your aching muscles, sore joints, and decreased energy tell you otherwise.

What are some key factors to feeling old?

• Oxidative stress from diets high in sugar and processed foods
• Inflammation from diets high in hydrogenated oils
• Raised cortisol levels from poorly managed stress
• Overuse of prescription drugs
• Dehydration and large amounts of soda consumption
• Sleep deprivation
• Low thyroid function
• Hormone imbalances

While life expectancy for humans has increased, for many individuals the quality of life has decreased. According to the World Health Organization, the United States ranks 37th in the world when it comes to overall health.1 More Americans are experiencing obesity, heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Surprisingly, women in other countries do not suffer from symptoms of hormonal imbalance to the extent that American women experience PMS, endometriosis, fibroid tumors and menopausal symptoms.

Why do Americans suffer more from health ailments? A key factor is found within hormonal imbalances. For women, an extremely common hormone imbalance is “estrogen-dominance.”

Estrogen-dominance

Severe symptoms of menopause, PMS, heavy menstrual bleeding, and endometriosis, as well as the progression of fibroid tumors and cancer, can all be related to estrogen-dominance.2,3,4Estrogen is a primary hormone found in men and women. While it is necessary for cardiovascular health, reproduction, bone development, and cognitive function, an excessive amount of estrogen can cause health problems.

How does estrogen-dominance develop? Obesity can be a major factor in estrogen-dominance, as estrone (a form of estrogen) is stored in fat cells.5 Another source can be found in compounds known as PCBs, BPAs, and Phthalates.6 These materials contain xenoestrogens (estrogen-like chemicals) that can be found in plastics, petroleum-based products, and household cleaning supplies. Xenoestrogens can also be found in herbicides, pesticides, and insecticides that are used on our food supply. These compounds can cause significant health ailments, including estrogen-related cancers.7 The high-fat, western diet that is based on refined, processed foods and saturated animal fats can also contribute to estrogen-dominance.8

While obese men store more estrone, they typically aren’t affected with estrogen-dominance. However, men can experience testosterone deficiency as they age, which can lead to increased body fat, low libido, mood imbalances, fatigue, and cardiovascular ailments.9

If you have concerns about hormone imbalances, you can check your hormone levels with simple blood tests. A hormone imbalance or deficiency can be safely and effectively treated with bioidentical hormone replacement. Maintaining healthy hormone levels can help restrain significant health problems, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, obesity, depression, and menopausal symptoms.10,11,12

References

1. Murray CJ, Frenk J. Ranking 37th – measuring the performance of the U.S. health care system. N Engl J Med. 2010 Jan;362(2):98-99.
2. Ashby J, Tinwell H, Plautz J, et al. Lack of binding to isolated estrogen or androgen receptors, and inactivity in the immature rat uterotrophic assay, of the ultraviolet sunscreen filters Tinosorb M-active and Tinosorb S. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2001;34(3):287–291.
3. Bentrem D, Fox JE, Pearce ST, et al. Distinct molecular conformations of the estrogen receptor alpha complex exploited by environmental estrogens. Cancer Res. 2003;63(21):7490–7496.
4. Kubista E. [Diagnosis and therapy of fibrocystic breast disease]. Zentralbl Gynakol. 1990; 112(17):1091–1096.
5. Turner N. The Hormone Diet: A 3-Step Program to Help You Lose Weight, Gain Strength, and Live Younger Longer. New York, NY: Rodale;2009.
6. Tapiero H, Ba GN et al. Estrogens and environmental estrogens. Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Feb;56(1):36–44.
7. Fucic A, Gamulin M, Ferenic Z, Katic J, et al. Environmental exposure to xenoestrogens and oestrogen related cancers: reproductive system, breast, lung, kidney, pancreas, and brain. Environ Health. 2012 Jun;11(1):S8.
8. Hall DC. Nutritional influences on estrogen metabolism. Applied Nutritional Science Reports. 2001:1-8.
9. Watt PJ, Hughes RB, et al. A holistic programmatic approach to natural hormone replacement. Fam Community Health. 2003;25(1):53-63.
10. Walsh B and Schiff I. Menopause. In Principles and Practice of Endocrinology and Metabolism. New York : Lippincott, Williams and Williams;2001.
11. Cameron DR , Braunstein GD. Androgen replacement therapy in women. Fertil Steri. 2004;82(2):273-289.
12. Formby B, Wiley TS. Progesterone inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells: inverse effects on Bcl-2 and p53. Ann Clin Lab Sci. 1998;28(6):360–369.

Live long and prosper. What can you do to have a longer, happier life? In addition to a eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly, life expectancy is related to your attitude, behavior, and beliefs.

Be Positive

Is the glass half full or half empty? Your attitude and perspective on the world contribute largely to your health.1Individuals who have a positive outlook when they are young tend to live longer.2 In a study where participants over the age 50 were followed for 30 to 40 years, researchers found that the individuals who had a positive attitude about aging lived about seven years longer than those who did not.3 Those who tend to hold on to negative emotions are more likely to experience harmful health outcomes, including heart ailments.4-6

If you find yourself feeling more hostile, bitter, and depressed, try to become an extrovert. Get involved in a community group, enroll in a community class, reach out to new people or try a new hobby that includes other people. Doing so will help you feel more positive and involved.

Be Conscientious

Just like keeping a positive attitude, personality traits impact longevity. Researchers have found that individuals who are more conscientious, organized, reliable, and competent live longer. A meta-analysis of 20 different studies dealing with a conscientious nature and longevity found that achievement (persistence, industrious nature) and order (organized, disciplined) were significantly related to longevity. Furthermore, conscientious people are less likely to smoke and more likely to have a stable marriage and job.7

Serve Others

By doing good works for other people, you can boost antibodies that stimulate the immune system, hormones, and cognitive function. Older individuals who volunteer have a sense of being needed and valued, which may be another underlying reason for greater longevity among those who volunteer.8

Reach out and get involved by becoming a mentor for an adolescent. People find great meaning in their service when they can help someone younger.

Socialize with Good Friends

Strong connections with friends can support a healthy immune system. Confiding in a good friend or family member can release negative emotions and tension. Furthermore, studies find that married people tend to live longer than those who are single.9,10

Prayer & Meditation

Our beliefs can play a role in overall health. Religious individuals tend to live longer by being involved in a community congregation. Additionally, religious people tend to avoid substance abuse that can weaken health. Researchers found that people attending a weekly religious service were 46% less likely to die over a six-year period than those who attended services less often.11 Furthermore, beliefs can bring comfort and peace to religious individuals, reducing negative stress and despair.

References

1. Carver CS, Connor-Smith J. Personality and coping. Annu Rev Psychol. 2010;61:679-704.
2. Ringbäck Weitoft G, et al. Is perceived nervousness and anxiety a predictor of premature mortality and severe morbidity? A longitudinal follow up of the Swedish survey of living conditions. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2005 Sep;59(9):794-8.
3. Levy BR, Slade MD, Kunkel SR, Kasl SV. Longevity increased by positive self-perceptions of aging. J of Personality & Soc Psychol. 2002;83(2):261-270.
4. Brydon L, et al. Dispositional optimism and stress-induced changes in immunity and negative mood. Brain Behav Immun. 2009 Aug;23(6):810-6.
5. Stewart JC, et al. Negative emotions and 3-year progression of subclinical atherosclerosis. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2007 Feb;64(2):225-33.
6. Pedersen SS, et al. Type D personality, cardiac events, and impaired quality of life: a review. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2003 Aug;10(4):241-8.
7. Kern ML, Friedman HS. Do conscientious individuals live longer? A quantitative review.Health Psychol. 2008 Sep;27(5):505-512.
8. Gottlieb BH, Gillespie AA. Volunteerism, health, and civic engagement among older adults. Can J Aging. 2008 Winter;27(4):399-406.
9. Johnson NJ, Backlund E, Sorlie PD, Loveless CA. Marital status and mortality: the national longitudinal mortality study. Ann Epidemiol. 2000 May;10(4):224-238.
10. Kaplan RM, Kronick RG. Marital status and longevity in the United States population. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2006 Sep;60(9):760-765.
11. Koenig HG, Hays JC, Larson DB, George LK, et al. Does religious attendance prolong survival? A six-year follow-up study of 3,968 older adults. J of Gerontology. 1999 Jul;54(7):M370-6.

How old do people think you are? Are you 60 going on 25? Then you are well on your way to a life of longevity. Perceived age is a term often used by physicians to recognize a patient’s level of health, in which an individual may look younger or older than his or her chronological age. Is there really an internal fountain of youth that radiates through your appearance?

Researchers from the University of Denmark decided to put this idea to the test. The study recruited 1,826 Danish twins (70 years and older) to take physical and cognitive tests. The twins also had their faces photographed. Next, volunteers looked at the photos and determined the subjects’ age based on their appearance. After a seven-year follow up, researchers found that longevity was significantly related to perceived age, as it was more likely that the older-looking twin died first. Additionally, younger-looking individuals had greater physical and mental capacities.

Researchers concluded common genetic factors associated with a younger appearance might also explain the findings. They determined perceived age is a strong indication of aging and longevity.

Reference

Christensen K, Thinggaard M, McGue M, Rexbye H, et al. Perceived age as clinically useful biomarker of ageing: cohort study. BMJ. 2009 Dec 10;339:b5262.