Aging
Aging is a natural, unavoidable process, but it does not need to be a discouraging one. As we grow older, we shouldn’t expect our health to regress. Normal aging occurs when our older cells start to die at a faster rate than the new ones developing. This process should not impact our quality of life. Most age-related diseases and disabilities could be improved or prevented by modifying lifestyle factors. Adopting healthy habits will keep us feeling healthy and youthful at any age!
Common Concerns With Aging:
- Arthritis
- Cancer
- Deficiency
- Decreased Bone Density
- Digestive Problems
- Depression
- Diabetes
- Hearing Loss
- Heart Disease
- Loss of Independence
- Memory Loss
- Sedentary Lifestyle
- Wrinkles
What Can Cause us to Prematurely Age?
How we treat our body when we are younger impacts the way we age. Developing harmful habits that weaken our cells at a younger age will accelerate the normal aging process.
Environment/Toxicants/Free Radicals
In our own environment, we are exposed to over thousands of chemicals and toxins that contribute to disease and cell damage. Many of these toxicants go unnoticed in our air, food, homes and even drinking water. The build up of cell-damaging substances also increases the number of free radicals in the body.
Free radicals are extremely reactive atoms or molecules that assist the body by producing energy, carrying oxygen through the blood stream, and destroying invaders. When the number of free radicals in our body is increased they can attack healthy cells, destroying or causing a mutation in their DNA. When a cell is damaged or is destroyed before its time it accelerates the aging process. The makes the body more vulnerable to disease. Increasing our antioxidant intake using food and herbal supplements prevents the damage of free radicals.
Poor Diet & Nutritional Deficiencies
A diet that lacks variety, nutrients and fiber can lead to various deficiencies. When our body is not receiving an adequate amount of nutrients it will not function properly. A proper diet boosts our immune system and strengthens our body’s natural processes. As we age even if we are maintaining a proper diet we are still at an increased risk of developing deficiencies. With time our body becomes less efficient at absorbing nutrients. It is imperative that we supplement certain vitamins and minerals to ensure we are getting sufficient nutrients.
Lack of Exercise
Use it or lose it! Living a sedentary lifestyle increases our risk of almost every disease.
Hormone Imbalance
Hormone balance is a major factor of healthy aging. A deficiency or elevation of certain hormones accelerates aging and cause the immune system to breakdown.
Emotions/Stress
People who experience prolonged periods of intense stress are more likely to develop chronic disease. Stress weakens the body from all aspects. One major stressor seen in the elderly population is lack of companionship. Loneliness or loss of loved ones commonly leads to depression.
Naturopathic Approach
Integrative Me – Body Coding
Dr. Cutler’s exclusive individualized wellness program is designed to analyze your exact body chemistry needs. The doctor will perform labs to find out what foods work for you and should avoid, vitamin/mineral levels, neurotransmitters for emotional health, hormonal imbalances, genetic polymorphisms, gastrointestinal analysis, parasites, and yeast overgrown. The Integrative Me — Body Coding system is a treatment plan that can transform into a lifelong commitment.