Fighting Aging?

[KI4MVP]

Who here's really puts a lot of thought and effort into this? What things are you doing? What is working, what isn't?

as I get older (I'm 55 now), I hear more and more about people dying who are not to far away from my age where the cause of death appears to be "natural causes". When I was 30, 55 seemed old, now that I'm 55, it doesn't seem or feel old at all. And it really sneaks up on you.

I really don't feel much different than I did when I was 30. Mentally I'm just as sharp, physically I should be pretty close in just a few more months. I just have a couple of minor aches I'm trying to resolve, nothing that slows me down.

It's just crazy to me that over the next 10 or 20 years, my body and mind could fall apart. I'm going to fight that as long as I can.

For years now I've taken a lot of supplements to help prevent aging related diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's (family history), heart disease, etc. And also to slow some of the aging related decline. I think they are helping, it's hard to know for sure.

At the same time I neglected things like exercise because life of raising kids and running a business got in the way. Last year and really started putting effort into correcting this part. I talked about this some in my VR threads (I have great success exercising with VR). I've pretty much reversed all of the conditions I had to take medicine for a year ago.

One thing that motivates me is I see older people who can barely move. I don't want to be like that when I'm older, and decided last year that I was on that path if I didn't fix my weight/exercise issue.

I wondered what other people are doing, what's working, what isn't?

 

[Mazer]

What supplements are you taking for Alzheimer's? I'm 45 and have a family history as well. I don't feel as mentally sharp as I did 5 or 10 years ago.

 

[bigfoot5415]

What supplements are you taking for Alzheimer's? I'm 45 and have a family history as well. I don't feel as mentally sharp as I did 5 or 10 years ago.

Was gonna post this as well

 

[Scrote Squad]

Who here's really puts a lot of thought and effort into this? What things are you doing? What is working, what isn't?

as I get older (I'm 55 now), I hear more and more about people dying who are not to far away from my age where the cause of death appears to be "natural causes". When I was 30, 55 seemed old, now that I'm 55, it doesn't seem or feel old at all. And it really sneaks up on you.

I really don't feel much different than I did when I was 30. Mentally I'm just as sharp, physically I should be pretty close in just a few more months. I just have a couple of minor aches I'm trying to resolve, nothing that slows me down.

It's just crazy to me that over the next 10 or 20 years, my body and mind could fall apart. I'm going to fight that as long as I can.

For years now I've taken a lot of supplements to help prevent aging related diseases like cancer, Alzheimer's (family history), heart disease, etc. And also to slow some of the aging related decline. I think they are helping, it's hard to know for sure.

At the same time I neglected things like exercise because life of raising kids and running a business got in the way. Last year and really started putting effort into correcting this part. I talked about this some in my VR threads (I have great success exercising with VR). I've pretty much reversed all of the conditions I had to take medicine for a year ago.

One thing that motivates me is I see older people who can barely move. I don't want to be like that when I'm older, and decided last year that I was on that path if I didn't fix my weight/exercise issue.

I wondered what other people are doing, what's working, what isn't?

Good topic.

I've done a fair amount of research about aging, mainly because of my family history. I've got a history of Alzheimer's on one side and my dad is currently dealing with Parkinson's disease, although there isn't much research to suggest a genetic link.

From what I've found, exercising regularly is extremely important. Whether your goal is weight loss, clearing your mind or staying fit, make time to do it. I know some people just don't have the time, but you can always make the time. I set aside a chunk of time at least four days a week to make sure that I exercise. It helps with both your cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Sleep. I know it sounds cliche, but try to sleep no less than 8 hours a night. It may not always be practical, but the time you give your body to recover trickles down to almost every other aspect.

Last thing I'd suggest is to do puzzles or critical thinking games at least a few days a week. When you settle into a job or routine (as you get older) that doesn't require you to exercise your mind, your brain can stagnate. When talking with my dad's PD doctor, he has suggested on multiple occasions that everyone should be doing things to challenge themselves mentally. Whether it's Sudoku puzzles, crosswords, etc., try to incorporate that into your daily routine. I took the LSAT in June and that's a test that requires you to exercise your brain in a different way than you would normally. Analytical reasoning (logic games) helped me tremendously in the way that I think. You can find games like these through a simple Google search.

At the end of the day, Father Time is undefeated, but those are the three areas that anyone can concentrate on to improve quality of life as you get older without the need of specific supplements.

 

[Stark]

Drink a lot of water. Sounds basic, but water is an absolute godsend that I don't think people appreciate/think about enough.

Water:

• Increases brain power and provides energy
• Helps and hydrates your skin
• Prevents headaches, cramps, and muscle sprains
• Boosts your immune system and promotes weight loss / healthy living
• Helps flush out toxins from your body

Plus if you're drinking a lot of water, it probably means you are drinking a lot less pop or other things that are trash for you.

 

[MikeOC33]

Some things like strokes, cancer, dementia stuff... seems like even if you do the right things, sometimes it doesn't matter.

Other than major health issues, a big downside is injury recovery. It just takes so much longer. Things get injured so much easier- back, hamstrings, elbow/shoulder/knee wear and tear.

So like has been mentioned, the simple common sense things are the best approach to aging: get your weight under control, drink more water, eat less crap food, exercise regularly, have healthy social connections, read for enjoyment more, get regular sleep, get regular checkups at doctor and dental, don't hang around people who bring you down (or get you in bad situations), have interests outside of your work environment.

Other than that, hope you have good genetics, cuz the only way to stop getting older... is to stop aging=Scoreboard=Death wins.

 

[KI4MVP]

What supplements are you taking for Alzheimer's? I'm 45 and have a family history as well. I don't feel as mentally sharp as I did 5 or 10 years ago.

Three main things: Galantamine, Curcumin (found in turmeric), Co-Q10
I also take Berberine to help with diabetes on the theory it also helps with alzheimer's since alzheimer's is thought to be type 3 diabetes.
I also take Choline and DHA/Omega-3 to help with brain health in general.

 

[KI4MVP]

Good topic.

I've done a fair amount of research about aging, mainly because of my family history. I've got a history of Alzheimer's on one side and my dad is currently dealing with Parkinson's disease, although there isn't much research to suggest a genetic link.

From what I've found, exercising regularly is extremely important. Whether your goal is weight loss, clearing your mind or staying fit, make time to do it. I know some people just don't have the time, but you can always make the time. I set aside a chunk of time at least four days a week to make sure that I exercise. It helps with both your cardiovascular and respiratory systems.

Sleep. I know it sounds cliche, but try to sleep no less than 8 hours a night. It may not always be practical, but the time you give your body to recover trickles down to almost every other aspect.

Last thing I'd suggest is to do puzzles or critical thinking games at least a few days a week. When you settle into a job or routine (as you get older) that doesn't require you to exercise your mind, your brain can stagnate. When talking with my dad's PD doctor, he has suggested on multiple occasions that everyone should be doing things to challenge themselves mentally. Whether it's Sudoku puzzles, crosswords, etc., try to incorporate that into your daily routine. I took the LSAT in June and that's a test that requires you to exercise your brain in a different way than you would normally. Analytical reasoning (logic games) helped me tremendously in the way that I think. You can find games like these through a simple Google search.

At the end of the day, Father Time is undefeated, but those are the three areas that anyone can concentrate on to improve quality of life as you get older without the need of specific supplements.

re: Exercising. It's so counterintuitive, but exercising normally doesn't cost you any time. A year ago I had gotten to where I would get tired and go lay down to rest. This was happening too often. Then one thing I decided is to start exercising when I get tired. Turns out I don't get tired as often. So now if I'm tired in the middle of the day, I usually go exercise.

re: exercising mind. Good suggestions. I'm a computer programmer who runs a business, so I think I'm okay there.

So far Father time is undefeated, but that doesn't necessarily mean it will always be that way. Life expectancy has trended upwards. It's now about double what it was in the 1800s. The question is, are there hard limits, or can science figure out ways to solve those apparent hard limits. There are a lot of things we can do today (and take for granted) that were once considered impossible.

 

[KI4MVP]

Some things like strokes, cancer, dementia stuff... seems like even if you do the right things, sometimes it doesn't matter.

Right, that's why I said it's unclear if the things i do have helped or not. I haven't run into the issues (yet?), but maybe I just wasn't going to anyway.

Other than major health issues, a big downside is injury recovery. It just takes so much longer. Things get injured so much easier- back, hamstrings, elbow/shoulder/knee wear and tear.

supplements can help with this. Gluosomine for joints, supplements to boost natural growth hormone release for recovery.

And something new I started taking is Collagen Peptides for joints and skin. Some studies show it can help with some regrowth of cartilage and improve skin elasticity. Does anyone know anything about this?

One I left out earlier too, lithium has been shown to help grow neurons, something the was previously thought impossible.

Other than that, hope you have good genetics, cuz the only way to stop getting older... is to stop aging=Scoreboard=Death wins.

I'm hoping to find better solutions than death.

 

[Cavatt]

I'm doing yoga right now, and I have cut back on carbs a lot.

Yoga has been crucial for me lately as I get knots in my shoulders. I have a lot more energy not eating carbs. I think I feel happier too. It is weird.

 

[KI4MVP]

Drink a lot of water. Sounds basic, but water is an absolute godsend that I don't think people appreciate/think about enough.

Water:

• Increases brain power and provides energy
• Helps and hydrates your skin
• Prevents headaches, cramps, and muscle sprains
• Boosts your immune system and promotes weight loss / healthy living
• Helps flush out toxins from your body

Plus if you're drinking a lot of water, it probably means you are drinking a lot less pop or other things that are trash for you.

Other than a rare milkshake, water is only thing I doing since I was first diagnosed with diabetes. It was really hard to give up coke, especially when everyone around me was drinking it. Now I don't even care that I don't drink anything else.

Some days I do get too busy and forget to drink enough.

 

[caf]

I'm doing yoga right now, and I have cut back on carbs a lot.

Yoga has been crucial for me lately as I get knots in my shoulders. I have a lot more energy not eating carbs. I think I feel happier too. It is weird.

Everyone raves about no carbs and their effects.

But I love all foods with carbs! I guess I need to just find similar dishes without the carbs.

 

[Cavatt]

Everyone raves about no carbs and their effects.

But I love all foods with carbs! I guess I need to just find similar dishes without the carbs.

Me too, but I think you ought to look at potatoes and rice and stuff like that the same way you look at an ice cream sundae. It is made of starch which literally starts breaking down into glucose the second it's in your mouth. It's just sugar. Like have a baked potato when you eat a steak, but potatoes every night or fries every time you eat out isn't good.

My feet were hurting and i thought it was because I was getting too fat. Then I cut out the carbs and within a week they felt fine and it was like my whole body sort of lost swelling. I hadn't actually gotten any skinnier yet, but I just wasn't swollen anymore. I immediately feel better. I think that carb inflammation relationship is 100% real.

I really think it depends on how active you are and how old you are. They didn't affect me like this when I was in my 20's, but now in my 30's I can tell I just don't need so many carbs.

One more thing about carbs. if you don't think they are just "filler" think about what you get when you eat out. Almost always a meat or some kind if you eat meat, and then a carb. Rarely a vegetable. Carbs are essentially so cheap and free and that is why Americans are so overweight.

Having that cheat day on sunday or something or for special occassions is a great idea. One of the benefit of cutting carbs is when you do eat them, they taste really good, but are almost too sweet, so you don't have to eat nearly as much of them for the same benefit.

I am also noticing that I just don't feel as hungry, and I am not getting tired after meals. I think adults aren't supposed to have so many.

 

[caf]

Yeah. I hear you on the bloat and swelling.

I think that's a good way to look at it. Potato=ice cream. I quit smoking after I had cardiovascular issues and immediately felt the benefits.

I think a lot of it for me is due to the winter in Cleveland. I eat a lot more stretchy foods in the wintertime. During the summer I eat much much healthier.

 

[Cavsfan1985]

Me too, but I think you ought to look at potatoes and rice and stuff like that the same way you look at an ice cream sundae. It is made of starch which literally starts breaking down into glucose the second it's in your mouth. It's just sugar. Like have a baked potato when you eat a steak, but potatoes every night or fries every time you eat out isn't good.

My feet were hurting and i thought it was because I was getting too fat. Then I cut out the carbs and within a week they felt fine and it was like my whole body sort of lost swelling. I hadn't actually gotten any skinnier yet, but I just wasn't swollen anymore. I immediately feel better. I think that carb inflammation relationship is 100% real.

I really think it depends on how active you are and how old you are. They didn't affect me like this when I was in my 20's, but now in my 30's I can tell I just don't need so many carbs.

One more thing about carbs. if you don't think they are just "filler" think about what you get when you eat out. Almost always a meat or some kind if you eat meat, and then a carb. Rarely a vegetable. Carbs are essentially so cheap and free and that is why Americans are so overweight.

Having that cheat day on sunday or something or for special occassions is a great idea. One of the benefit of cutting carbs is when you do eat them, they taste really good, but are almost too sweet, so you don't have to eat nearly as much of them for the same benefit.

I am also noticing that I just don't feel as hungry, and I am not getting tired after meals. I think adults aren't supposed to have so many.

I could not agree more. I have also started to eat more complex carbs when I do have carbs. I have found if I go to low carb I have no energy to workout for a hard workout. I have really been trying to focus on the glycemic value of carbs and go for the ones that take longer to digest and keep blood sugar from spiking. It’s amaxing how full I feel after. If I do have a simple carb I always try to do it before I workout or going to be active to make sure my body burns it.