From 1796 to 1896, the average life span almost doubled, from 25 years to 48 years. In the last 100 years, the average life span has increased to 77 years. These changes have come about primarily due to improvements in sanitation and advances in combating infectious disease. Practitioners of longevity medicine believe that methods exist right now to extend the average human life span by another 20 to 30 years. This can be achieved through a combination of proper diet, exercise, targeted nutritional supplements, hormones (when appropriate), and by identifying and modifying potential risk factors for disease. Towards this end, a new field of medicine has evolved.

Anti-Aging Medicine is the newest subspecialty in healthcare. It involves a profound paradigm shift in the way society views medicine. Instead of waiting until a person is sick to visit the doctor, a person will visit their health care provider at least several times a year to monitor health and look for potential problems before they occur. Anti-Aging Medicine is the ultimate wellness program, seeking to optimize health and longevity. Practitioners in this field seek to limit the period of illness and disability at the end of one's life, while extending the healthy, productive middle years.

Most adult illness other than congenital and infectious disease is due to degenerative processes that occur with aging. This includes Alzheimer's, arthritis, most cancers, diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, osteoporosis, and strokes. With early detection and appropriate intervention, most of these diseases can be prevented, cured, or have their downward course reversed.

A leading theory of aging is that of oxidation and free radical damage. Everyday examples of oxidation that we see in nature are when metal rusts or an apple turns brown after being cut open. We also have oxidation occurring within our own bodies as a normal part of cellular metabolism. As cells produce energy, byproducts called free radicals are also produced. These are damaging at the cellular level.

Free radical damage is believed to be responsible for the degenerative processes that occur during the aging process and may even damage our DNA and initiate some cancers. Using this concept of the aging process, Anti-Aging practitioners utilize anti-oxidants to "soak-up" or neutralize free radicals and limit their damage.

The first step in your Anti-Aging Program should be thorough testing and assessment of your current condition through physical examination and laboratory testing. Advanced diagnostic testing is available to measure biomarkers of aging. A blood or urine test can measure levels of oxidative stress present, so a nutritional plan tailored to your specific needs can be formulated. Hormone levels can be measured with a simple saliva test to look for disturbances that can affect health. Functional assessment tests can help determine nutrient imbalances and toxic overload that can burden the body's repair mechanisms. A self-administered Longevity Test can help determine your potential, estimated life span. This educational tool can enable you to learn what changes you need to make for maximum longevity. It can be re-administered at periodic intervals, as an incentive to keep you on your path towards health and longevity.

Chronological age is inevitable. However, biological age can be slowed, halted, and even reversed. Turning back your biological clock is now possible through the science of anti-aging medicine. If you are willing to make some simple life style changes and work with a health care provider who is knowledgeable about anti-aging medicine, you can age gracefully and on your own terms. General measures that can add years to your life include:

• Prevent cancer death through early detection tests, as most cancer is curable if caught early. Utilizing proper nutrition can minimize your risks for cancer.
• Prevent cardiovascular disease, which is the number one cause of death. Don't smoke, keep your total cholesterol under 200, your LDL cholesterol under 130 and your HDL cholesterol above 45. Do one-half hour of aerobic exercise 3 to 5 times a week. Have yearly cardiovascular screening after the age of 40 to detect heart disease before it kills you.
• Prevent stroke by keeping your blood pressure down and your arteries unclogged through proper diet, weight control, and stress reduction. Keep your blood vessels strong and flexible and your homocysteine levels under control with appropriate vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
• Prevent adult onset diabetes by maintaining ideal body weight, exercising, and proper nutrition.
• Work with your healthcare provider to establish a personal anti-aging program to optimize health and longevity.

In the final analysis, improving the quality of one's life is just as important as increasing the quantity. Aging need not be a pathway to decreasing health and productivity, but rather a time of renewed opportunity in which one makes use of a lifetime of experiences and accumulated wisdom to help others. Stay young by loving life, caring about others, and nurturing your mind, body and spirit.

Mark Swircenski, PA-C is a Physician Assistant practicing Medical Nutrition, Primary Care, and Anti-Aging Medicine at Alaska Family Wellness Center. He is also a member of the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M). To contact Mark, call 561-9444.