As a medical doctor with more than three decades of experience, I’ve seen firsthand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle to promote longevity. Traditional advice on diet and exercise remains crucial for overall health, but recent scientific breakthroughs offer exciting new avenues to extend our years of vibrant living.
After many successful years as a prominent plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills, I made a pivotal decision to retire my surgical tools and close my practice. While cosmetic procedures have their place in enhancing appearance, I found myself increasingly drawn to holistic approaches that address aging from within. Harnessing my expertise and passion for advancing medical science, I embarked on a new chapter dedicated to exploring natural solutions that promote longevity and vitality. This transition marked the beginning of my journey into the world of nutraceuticals, where I now consult as chief medical officer for Ponce de Leon Health, a company dedicated to developing drug-free solutions scientifically proven to extend overall longevity. I devote my time to researching and advocating for clinically studied compounds that support healthy aging at a cellular level.
Does incorporating healthy habits improve longevity?
This work has been the most exciting work of my career, so let’s dive into the realm of scientifically proven longevity solutions from a natural perspective, shedding light on groundbreaking research that could redefine how we approach aging.
The Starting Point: Know Your Number
Healthy diet and exercise are still incredibly important to maintain for good health. These are the basics. However, this new research on expanding healthspan provides us another way to live a happy and healthy life in this hectic and fast-paced world.
To see where your starting point is with longevity it’s important to look past your chronological age that each birthday marks and test your biological age.
Calculating biological age requires specific testing since it is a measurement of how old your cells are acting. This is the one time when “not acting your age” is a good thing. The younger your biological age is, the better health you will be in towards the end of your life, and everyone wants that. To calculate, use an at-home saliva-based, DNA methylation test.
Multiple researchers say DNA methylation patterns indicate aging and are a good measure of the potential onset of chronic diseases. Further, scientists agree that directly influencing DNA methylation could reset DNAmAge (or biological age) leading to more youthful cell metabolism. Many assume the only way to keep cells young is to avoid negative environmental factors mentioned above and to maintain a healthy diet, practice intermittent fasting and exercise daily. Studies have shown fasting and exercising reduce biological age, but only by about two years after more than one year of rigorous lifestyle changes.
New Data Reveals: Less is More
There is a thriving billion-dollar industry, where fad diets and trendy supplements promise the elixir of a longer, healthier life. However, the burning question remains: Does your wellness routine and the products you are purchasing actually knock years off your age?
New in-depth analysis by TruMe Labs, uncovers the impact of various compounds on lowering biological age. The latest data can potentially save you hundreds of dollars by identifying medications, compounds, and dietary supplements with minimal impact on extending longevity.
With more than 5,000 entries encompassing nearly 900 disclosed compounds used by TruMe Labs’ customers to reduce their biological age, this data release of DNA methylation test results provides crucial insights into which substances are truly effective in turning back the clock. Taking the coveted No. 1 position is Rejuvant, the only patented dietary supplement utilizing time-released CaAKG, while standard forms of CaAKG used in competing products ranked only slightly ahead of multivitamins.
TruMe’s recent data aligns closely to the published results in the journal Aging, where Rejuvant was shown to decrease biological age by an average of eight years after participants took the dietary supplement for approximately seven months. TruMe’s data showed that even when Rejuvant was taken with two to four different compounds, the reduction in biological age remains high at 5.1 years. The entire Rejuvant cohort averaged an impressive 6.2-year biologic age reduction, resulting in its position at the top of the list. This data from TruMe Labs is especially insightful if you take a closer look at the individuals taking multiple compounds, versus those who were exclusively taking Rejuvant.
Shockingly, the group taking multiple compounds worsened their effect on reducing biological age. This tells us that less is more in the pursuit of longevity. It seems it may be better to choose one product rather than combining them together. The following represent a few selected entries from TruMe Labs data, in their ranked order:
- No. 1: Rejuvant (with time-released CaAKG)
- No. 13: Metformin
- No. 14: Resveratrol
- No. 20: Nicotinamide riboside (NR)
- No. 22: Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
- No. 24: All other forms of CaAKG
- No. 26: Multivitamins
CaAKG: The Advantage for Healthy Aging
Mentioned twice in TruMe Lab’s list of longevity supplements consumers are taking is a compound called CaAKG, or Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate. This is a compound that plays a crucial role in cellular metabolism and energy production, which is why people supplement with it as they get older. As we age, our bodies experience a decline in various physiological functions, including the ability to efficiently produce energy and maintain cellular health. CaAKG serves as a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress. Additionally, CaAKG supports the production of collagen, which is essential for maintaining skin elasticity and joint health. Supplementing with CaAKG can help replenish declining levels in the body, supporting overall vitality and resilience as we age.
However, it is important to confirm you are utilizing time released CaAKG, as this compound has historically demonstrated poor bioavailability. Without a time-released format, CaAKG is unlikely to reach the small intestines and be absorbed into the bloodstream, essential for its effectiveness in reducing biological age. Additionally, the process to make CaAKG yields many impurities, and it is important to find one that is ultra-pure (like Rejuvant).
Back to Basics: Prioritizing Lifestyle Choices
To support healthy aging and improve lifespan, it’s imperative to prioritize lifestyle choices that nurture overall well-being. Engaging in regular exercise, encompassing a combination of aerobic activities and strength training, not only boosts physical health but also helps combat the aging process by enhancing vitality and resilience. Adopting a balanced nutrition plan centered around whole foods, antioxidants, and essential nutrients is vital for supporting cellular health and slowing down the aging process from within. Equally important is prioritizing adequate sleep, as quality rest allows the body to repair and regenerate, potentially reversing biological age and promoting optimal functioning.
Incorporating stress-reducing practices such as meditation, mindfulness, or yoga into daily routines can significantly lower chronic stress levels, positively impacting biological age and overall health. Additionally, cultivating meaningful relationships and fostering social connections is essential, as studies suggest that a strong social network contributes to a longer, healthier life and may even reverse the effects of aging by promoting emotional well-being and resilience.
By embracing and prioritizing these lifestyle choices, you will age more gracefully and enjoy a higher quality of life for years to come.
The quest for longevity is a multifaceted journey that combines scientific advancements with lifestyle choices. While traditional practices like healthy eating and exercise remain fundamental, emerging research underscores the potential of innovative solutions to significantly reduce biological age. By incorporating these scientifically proven strategies into our daily routines, we can unlock the secrets to a longer, healthier life and age gracefully with vitality and vigor.
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