Hormones and All that Good Stuff in Healthy Aging

The Role of Hormones in Healthy Aging

As we age, many of us end up with a bigger stomach. The size of the stomach is often an indicator of health; in fact, people with big stomachs have an increased risk of developing diabetes. In addition, a bigger stomach means a heavier stomach, which is believed to cause the arteries to age. The presence of too much fat in the body can cause the arteries to become blocked.

The arteries are responsible for supplying blood throughout our body. Thus, if the arteries are blocked, serious problems may arise, such as heart attacks, memory loss, wrinkles and strokes. Following a good, healthy diet is one way to keep the arteries clear. For instance, cut back on the unhealthy fats and consume adequate amounts of good fats. If you must snack, at least snack on a handful of nuts or a piece of fruit instead of cookies and chocolates.

It also helps to engage in activities that both provide exercise for the mind and the body. Mental activities like doing jigsaw puzzles, assembling toys, playing the crosswords and such can help the brain and ward off feelings of stress, anxiety and depression. As we age, many people slow down; they stop doing things that they used to enjoy doing; as a result, they become overwhelmed by problems that come their way. It's vital that we continue exercising the body and the mind to keep our physical and mental acuity. This is the only way we can age healthily.

Healthy aging thus means following a healthy, well balanced diet, regular exercise and engaging in worthwhile activities. And then there's our hormones. Our glands produce a number of hormones, one of which is the Human Growth Hormone or HgH. Science has discovered that our body produces enough HgH but not all of the HgH is released by our body as we grow older. The appearance of wrinkles, low energy levels and decrease in sexual performance are all manifestations of low HgH levels. Gray hair is also the manifestation of hormonal deficiencies. Low levels of HgH can also cause an increase in body fat, putting individuals at risk of developing heart disease. Low HgH levels can also cause muscle mass loss, causing the organs to shrink.

A study was conducted to look into the effects of HgH on the aging process. Twenty-six men, from 61 years to early 80s were used in the study. The subjects were given HgH supplements. Results showed that the HgH supplements managed to slow the aging process in the subjects by 10 to 20 years total. The men showed improvements, notably in muscle strength, after being given HgH. In addition, their skin tone and memory improved. HgH did not stop the overall aging process but vital signs of maturity sure improved. In other recent studies, vitamin A, which is known for promoting improved eyesight, was found to help in the release of HgH.

Before you take any hormone replacement supplements, talk with your doctor. Your doctor is your best source of information regarding your health. Be aware that supplements, vitamins and any other replacement therapies come with side effects so you need your doctor's advice before starting on any of these.

For maintaining healthy bone, women need estrogen, a hormone the body naturally produces that reduces the risk of the bones shrinking. Women who are estrogen deficient are likely to develop osteoporosis because without the adequate amounts of estrogen, the bones will degrade and become brittle.

As women age, the body produces less and less estrogen. After menopause, most women experience a drop in their lipid levels. This drop can cause high cholesterol; the level of LDL (the bad cholesterol) goes up. Increased LDL levels can lead to blocked arteries or coronary blood vessel/artery disease. As a women undergoes menopause, her ovaries start to slow down its production of progesterone and estrogen, the major hormones that control menstrual cycles.

Men, on the other hand, rely on testosterone to keep them younger. Testosterone is the hormone that controls a man's sexual drive, facial hair growth and so on. Both men and women rely on hormones in order for the body to perform various functions. However, as we grow old, these hormones become less and less available in the body, which is why hormone replacement or supplementation is often necessary. Through hormone replacement therapies, we are able to slow down the aging process.