What is aging?

By Doreen DeStefano – Root Causes Holistic Health & Medicine

What is old age? Aging starts at birth.  We hate to admit it, but the alternative is not being here at all.  Contributors to aging include your genetics, your environment and the choices you make to contribute to your physical and mental states.  Your body is a reflection of the cumulative effects of all that.  Each person ages differently, but generally speaking, there are some commonalities.

Aging Body Systems Skin
Our skin protects us from the environment.  It provides a barrier that regulates temperature, retains fluid and absorbs shock and ultraviolet radiation, among other things. As we age, we lose about 20% of our skin thickness. The skin metabolism slows, it becomes thin, fragile and slow to heal. We develop wrinkles and brown discolorations called hyperpigmentation.  We lose fat under the skin that gave it fullness and bounce so our skin starts to sag. These factors are the result of decreased skin metabolism from decreased cellular nutrition and oxygenation.

Musculoskeletal
Muscle mass is a primary source of metabolic heat. When muscles contract, heat is generated. The heat generated by muscle contraction maintains body temperature in the range required for normal function of its various chemical processes.

In our thirties, we begin to lose muscle mass, elastic and strength.  Our muscles will continue to reduce in size, with muscle fiber becoming smaller and reserves of metabolic products produced by the muscles is reduced as well.  As a result of this aging process, the body becomes less efficient with physical activities, and less efficient a heat production and other processes required to sustain life. As we age, our muscles are also less able to absorb glucose, and is less responsive to insulin, leading to type 2 diabetes.

Eyes
Our visual acuity decreases as a result of stiffness of the eye muscles, and reduced micronutrient levels that keep the eyes healthy.

Respiratory function
Our lungs slow down as we age as well.  They lose their ability to be flexible and the chest well becomes stiff.  There is a decrease in our ability to exchange oxygen as well.  The stiffness of the chest muscles and the lungs, combined with the reduced gas exchange means that our ability to breathe effectively is reduced, thereby reducing exercise capacity.

Cardiovascular
The condition of the cardiovascular system largely depend upon the health of the individual.  Your heart can remain healthy and functional as you age, as long as you exercise and eat right.

Endocrine and metabolism
Aging is generally accompanied by a decrease is most hormones that we are all familiar with.  Testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormones and others are reduced with age.  Additionally, as we age, we just aren’t as hungry, so we eat less because we feel full sooner.  The also compromises our nutritional status.

Neurosensory
Like other systems, the nervous system changes as we age. The brain and spinal cord lose neurons in which reduces synaptic transmission. This results in a reduced sense of smell, taste, sight, touch and hearing over time. Impaired synaptic activity can also cause depression.  Research indicates that as many as 25% of nursing home residents are clinically depressed, making it one of the most common reversible causes of weight loss and decreased nutritional status.

Slow the Aging Process
As we age, our bodies slow down as a result of nutritional deficiencies, lack of oxygen, and hormonal deficiencies.

What can you do to slow the aging process?

In as little as 1 hour a week you can help repair many of the negative effects of aging on your body.  By using oxygen therapies and nutrient IV’s you can increase you nutrient status significantly and increase oxygen in your body.  You will create an environment that is less susceptible to disease and you will have more energy.  Feel your best every day.  Enjoy your life more with energy and stamina to do all the things you have dreamed of doing!

IV Therapy
A healthy diet rich in vitamins and minerals is the best way to nourish your body.

There are instances, though, when the body has trouble obtaining these nutrients through natural digestive functions. Conditions such as stress, a medical illness, or food intolerances can inhibit the absorption of important substances such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, selenium, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, folic acid, glutathione, or biotin.

In these cases, injecting those nutrients directly into the blood stream may be the best option to ensure that your body is getting what it needs. This is the goal of IV nutritional therapy.

Uses of IV Therapy
Here is just a short list of some of the numerous ways that IV therapy can improve your health:

Detoxification: IV therapy can introduce nutrients that help your body remove toxins like mercury which can harm almost any organ.

Eye Health: Free radicals that degenerate eye sight and contribute to conditions such as macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy can be reduced with an injection of antioxidants.

Heart Health: The proper blend of nutrients can strengthen your arteries, making it easier for the heart to circulate blood through your body.

Anti-Aging: A combination of ingredients can combat a number of symptoms associated with the aging process, such as a loss of skin elasticity, weight gain, fatigue, and illness.

Other Uses: IV therapy may also be used in cancer therapy and to treat autoimmune diseases and neurological conditions.

Types of IV Therapy: There are a number of IV therapies designed to either treat specific conditions or just promote overall wellness. Here are some of the most common:

Myers Cocktail: This particular blend was developed in the 1970’s by Doctor John Myers at Johns Hopkins University. It has been used to treat a number of conditions such as fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, muscle spasm, asthma, hives, congestive heart failure, chest pain, infections, and senile dementia. This is a staple in optimizing health.

Glutathione Therapy: This substance improves liver and brain functions, leading to improved memory while helping to lower the risk of conditions such as dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathy, and liver disease.  Glutathione is the master antioxidant.  It is a key component in anti-aging IV therapy.

High Dose Vitamin C: Although this vitamin is commonly found in supplement form, an IV injection can provide a much higher dose than what can be obtained by taking it orally. Vitamin C is used to fight chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.  It is also key in anti-aging IV therapy.

Alpha Lipoic Acid: This treatment helps those suffering from diabetes by improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood sugar levels.  Alpha Lipoic acid is also used for anti-aging, cancer treatment and detoxification from substances like Fluoroquinolones.

Hydrogen Peroxide: Encourages the body to release single oxygen molecules into the blood stream to kill viruses, bacteria, cancer cells, and make it easier for the liver and kidneys to remove toxins.

Oxygen therapies: Hyperbaric oxygen and ozone insufflation are very powerful oxygen therapies that supply your body with tremendous amounts of oxygen so that your body can repair itself.  Learn more about oxygen therapies at Root Causes Holistic Health Medicine.  239-425-2900