As you get older, it becomes more of a battle to maintain full fitness and health. Not impossible at all, but you will find that there are diminishing returns. Some changes, such as the loss of ocular sharpness and reduction in bone mass density, are just priced in. Others, however, can be mitigated and in some cases even reversed with the right treatments. In this article, we will look specifically into the benefits that can be had from a proper fitness regime supported by some help from the right supplements, in particular the benefits of the right hormones.
Making the soundest choices as you age will help to ensure that you age gracefully. And the better news is that as you get used to the pattern of everyday choices, it gets easier. There’s no need to fear getting older; if you can fuse the wisdom gained with experience and the assistance of improving health science then the aging process can be fun.
The natural aging process and its challenges
Aging is a natural and inevitable part of life. Just from a simple point of view of linear time, we all age. But what we refer to as the aging process is an intricate set of changes that include a number of different physical transformations. Skin will, in time, become less elastic, and fine lines and wrinkles appear. Muscles tend to lose their tone, and joints are more prone to ache and grind. The heart, through wear and tear, becomes less effective in keeping the circulation going, which is why older people are an at-risk group for cardiovascular issues.
Mentally, too, there is the question of cognitive function. Those of us who are nervous about getting older often fear this process because we worry about dementia, although it is not anywhere near as prevalent as we may be led to expect. Nonetheless, the brain does slow a little, and occasional memory lapses and decrease in attention span, while not a specific harbinger of dementia, are common among older people and often referred to as “senior moments”.
As we get older, we also become more susceptible to some health conditions. Osteoporosis is more common in older people, and a particular problem in women who have been through the menopause. Chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes are also more common, as organs that have been working for longer start to be less effective.
All of this sounds concerning, but it is vitally important that we balance it with the knowledge that aging isn’t some absolute and irreversible decline. As well as being able to call on years of experience in making decisions, we are also able to take proactive steps to respond to the challenges that come along with the aging process. Our golden years don’t need to be a simple matter of adding time to the clock – they can bring with them increased quality of life.
The role of hormones in aging
While there is no shortage of discussion around the physical and cognitive effects of aging, there is an under-discussed factor that plays its role in this process. That is the impact of hormones. Hormones are chemical messengers that perform and regulate a number of functions in the human body, from metabolism to mood, and from growth to reproduction. As we grow older, the production of hormones shifts, and so does their balance, which has a series of effects on mind and body.
As standard, men begin to produce less testosterone in their forties and women follow, usually around the age of 50, producing less estrogen. This is when, and to a large extent why, we see decreased bone density and muscle mass, and changes in skin texture. Men may become more fatigued, lose their libido, and experience mood swings, while women are prone to hot flushes and night sweats, and may also have an imbalance in mood during these times. In women, this is known as the menopause.
Meanwhile, another hormone, known as cortisol and referred to as the “stress hormone”, tends to increase with age. This is a natural process, and is generally aggravated by the physical and emotional stresses that come with aging. Elevated levels can, over time, lead to weight gain, disturbed sleep and loss of immune function.
It’s important to understand the role hormones play in the aging process. By addressing the imbalances by whatever means necessary – be it lifestyle changes, nutrition or courses like those provided by Genemedics – it is possible to significantly mitigate the challenges that aging brings. While we are all concerned with living a little longer, the right combination of the above means ensures that we can extend our quality of life, not just its quantity.
The impact of fitness on aging
In the second half of our lives, while it is true that hormones play a crucial role, another pillar of equal significance is physical fitness. Maintaining a more active lifestyle is beneficial not only for our physical health, but also for the mind.
From a physical standpoint, regular exercise is beneficial in counterbalancing many of the declines explained above. Muscle loss, decreased bone mass and impacts on our cardiovascular function can all be mitigated by keeping as fit as possible. Strength training is every bit as beneficial for muscle mass, even allowing you to add rather than lose it, while walking and jogging are exactly the kind of weight-bearing exercise that keeps bone density from declining. Cardio is best achieved with brisk walking, swimming and cycling, and will mitigate any decline in heart health.
But it’s about a lot more than the physical benefits of exercise. Greater physical activity has been shown time and again to reduce the risk of depression, which is a common complaint among people who are getting towards retirement age and beyond. The release of endorphins during exercise has a profound mood-elevating effect, and even acts as a natural painkiller. Exercise that depends on coordination, such as tai chi and race walking, can also boost cognitive function, improving one’s memory and attention span – and keeping those “senior moments” at bay to a large extent.
Aside from the direct physical benefits of exercise, engaging in group activities, which is possible with much of the above, provides a sense of community. This combats the loneliness which is considered a major contributor to mental health issues in seniors.
Fitness is not about simply maintaining your physical stature or having an aesthetic effect. It is an indispensable part of a holistic approach to aging. To put it in a snappy way, we’re not just adding years to our life, we’re also adding life to our years. The combined benefits of active exercise with hormone balance mean that we don’t just grow old gracefully – we can age triumphantly.
Hormone therapy: a potential game-changer
Aging is an intricate two-step where fitness and lifestyle have their parts to play. For the positive aging process we want to achieve, though, there is another step to the process. Hormone therapy is a counterbalance to the natural decline of hormone levels as a part of aging. The decline in hormone production is, as we have seen, a driver of many of the physical and mental challenges we face as we age. Hormone therapy offers a counter to these challenges; it restores the balance we had in earlier years and helps to rejuvenate the body and mind.
It works by replenishing the body with synthetically produced hormones that are identical in a molecular sense to those produced within the human body. As your own natural production diminishes, the replacement with synthetic hormones can be tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that your hormones are in balance so as to achieve optimal health and well-being.
The benefits of this kind of therapy are pronounced and far-ranging. The aforementioned bone and muscle mass issues are diminished in effect, and skin elasticity is regained. A more youthful appearance is one result of the process, while stronger bones and muscles mean you’ll have more of your mobility and vigor. And let’s not forget the impact on your heart, with a reduction in the likelihood of heart-related ailments.
The mental benefits, too, are something on which to hang a lot of hope. Hormone therapy can mitigate symptoms of depression, anxiety and the mood instability that is often attributed to hormonal imbalance. Other impacts, such as better sleep and an improvement in cognitive and memory function, have been highlighted by people who have had hormone therapy. In addition, more balance in hormone production makes us more resilient against illness. As we get older, immune response can become diminished, resulting in greater susceptibility to infections and disease. Hormone therapy can bolster the immune system and keep us healthier for longer.
All in all, while aging isn’t something that can be stopped, we can change the way we experience it. Hormone therapy can offer us a healthier, happier and more invigorated path into the later years of our lives.
As life goes on, ageing is inevitable, but how we age is entirely up to us. Through fitness, lifestyle changes and the power of hormone therapy, we can ensure that the continuation of our journey through life is one filled with vigor and vitality. With this in mind, we don’t just age, we celebrate each new moment.
