Scientists have found that human beings age at a molecular level in two accelerated bursts – first at the age of 44, and then again at 60. In a study published in the journal Nature Aging, scientists found that human aging does not happen in a gradual, linear way. Rather, the majority of the molecules they studied showed accelerated, non-linear changes at the ages of 44 and 60.
In other words, we are not becoming old gradually…it happens in spurts. For example, the ability to metabolize caffeine notably decreases – first around the age of 40 and once more around 60. Components involved in metabolizing alcohol also diminish, particularly around the age of 40. This is part of the reason I’ve cut back on my alcohol consumption and didn’t have a drink last week when I was teaching at Rancho La Puerta.
The researchers advise making lifestyle changes such as drinking less alcohol and exercising more when nearing these pivotal years in your 40s and 60s. They advised people approaching their 60s to watch their carb intake and drink plenty of water to aid kidney function. Around the mid-forties, women hit perimenopause, characterized by a drop in estrogen that can lead to weight gain. While no foods can replace those lost hormones, certain foods can help support hormone balance, such as cruciferous vegetables like sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and kale, which contain something called indole-3-carbinol, a plant chemical known to increase estrogen metabolism. And, don’t forget the magnesium.
Midlife is also a great time to start thinking about brain health. The researchers advise staying socially active to combat isolation (which speeds up brain aging) and learning a new skill or language, which helps form new neurons and neural pathways, while strengthening the ones that exist. Overeating contributes to memory loss in later life, and practicing intermittent fasting can aid digestion and optimize gut health. This in turn reduces inflammation, which is key to diseases associated with aging.
Lastly, exercise starts a process in the brain called neurogenesis, which is the growth of new brain cells, and studies show staying physically active reduces our risk of cognitive decline and even Alzheimer’s. To counter this, the researchers advise simple exercises like marching on the spot for two minutes while you brush your teeth, moving every 30 minutes throughout a working day, and taking a short walk after eating, which has been shown to balance your blood sugar levels.
Okay, that’s enough body geekiness for today. But, you get the idea. The older the vehicle, the more you have to maintain it. You can grow into being a classic roadster, but it takes some serious TLC for that to happen.
-Chip
P.S. Here’s a new Travel & Leisure magazine article that says that the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California), just a little over an hour from our MEA Baja campus, is the most underrated scuba diving destination in the world. Jacques Cousteau called it “the World’s Aquarium.” If you want to make an impromptu vacation between now and the end of the month, we’re still offering our Refresh Vacation product on our campus. C’mon down for a long weekend.