Healthy Ageing

What is premature ageing?

• Premature ageing is when we look, act and feel much older than we are.

• Changes accumulate in our bodies, especially in our organs, that prevent them from functioning as well as they could.

Think about this:

• In 1950, there were 2,300 U.S. centenarians and by 2003, there were more than 40,000.

• Is a longer life worthwhile if you’re too unhealthy to enjoy it?

Does getting old mean getting sick?

• Jack LaLanne once said, “People don’t die of old age, they die of neglect.”

• In April 2008, Harvard identified a number of conditions often associated with aging that they believe can be reversed/managed with diet and lifestyle changes.

No Pills For These Ills

• The April 2008 issue of the Harvard Health Letter states that these conditions can be effectively cared for without medication:

– Arthritis– Cholesterol– Cognitive decline– Depression– Diabetes– High blood pressure– Osteoporosis

How to minimize premature aging?

• Focus on these 2 things:

– Avoid age accelerators

– Embrace age rejuvenators

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarrettes• Drugs• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarettes• Drugs• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin

Cigarette smoke exposes you to damaging free radicals that will accelerate the aging process by harming the microcapillaries in the skin.

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarettes• Drugs• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin

Alcohol, “recreational drugs” and prescribed medications tax your body’s ability to heal itself.

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarettes• Drugs• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin

All water is not created equal!There are concerns about mineral and distilled waters.

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarettes• Inadequate Sleep• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin

Some sun exposure is good but too much contributes to sunburn, wrinkling and other kinds of damage.

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarettes• Drugs• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin

Dietary issues:• Yoyo weight loss• Calories• Nutrient imbalances

Avoid Age Accelerators

• Cigarettes• Drugs• Water• Excessive Sun Exposure• Bad Diets• Dry Skin Dry skin is weak

skin. It’s more susceptible to other forms of damage.

How to minimize premature aging?

• Focus on these 2 things:

– Avoid age accelerators

– Embrace age rejuvenators

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

A toxin is anything that creates irritation or harm for our bodies.

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

Insufficient sleep can hinder metabolism and hormone production in a way that is similar to the effects of aging.

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

Eat a vegetable-based diet that is a appropriate for your metabolism and state of health.

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

Even small amounts of exercise can shave nearly 5 years off your “body age”.

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

Tooth decay and gum disease are associated with heart disease.

Embrace Age Rejuvenators

• Adopt a non-toxic lifestyle.• Get adequate sleep.• Eat right.• Exercise.• Floss.• Manage stress.

Chronic stress increases the level of cortisol. Cortisol increases blood glucose and fat deposition.

Other Age-Defiers

• Address emotional traumas to maintain psychological health

• Become a lifelong learner to keep your brain performing optimally

• Stay socially engaged – people who feel connected to others handle the ups and downs of life better

How can naturopathy help?

What is naturopathic medicine?

• Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that addresses the root cause of illness and promotes health using natural therapies.

• Naturopathic doctors are highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.

• Naturopathic doctors work collaboratively with you to ensure your needs are met by treating the whole person: mind, body and spirit.

How can naturopathy help?

NDs can:

• Guide and coach you as you establish your age-defying lifestyle.

• Treat any health conditions you may have using therapies that are natural, safe, gentle, and effective.