Humans may have reached their maximum life expectancy — but that likely won’t stop them from trying to extend their years, according to a recent Harvard study.
A recent survey found that 81 percent of respondents said they were “somewhat or very willing” to spend money to live longer — though many weren’t sure where. Be started.
Dr. Sajjad Zalzala, Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer of Ageless RX in Detroit, Michigan, is committed to helping people not only live their longest, but also their healthiest lives.
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As a physician with a background in functional medicine, Zalza worked to find and treat the root causes of symptoms and disease – leading to longevity.
In 2019, he launched AgelessRx to try to “solve the aging puzzle”.
Dr. Sajjad Zalzala, co-founder and chief medical officer of Ageless RX in Detroit, Michigan, shares his secrets to living a long, healthy life. (Dr. Sajjad Zalzala/AgelessRX)
Zalzala spoke on camera with Focus News Digital about the signs of aging and what she sees as the most important components of a long, healthy life.
Signs of aging
While the aging process can look different for different people, researchers have identified some “common denominators” of cellular and molecular aging, which Zalza shared with Fox News Digital.
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1. Genomic instability: This happens when DNA damage leads to diseases such as cancer and weakens the body’s ability to heal itself, according to doctors.
2. Telomere Attrition: Short telomeres (the sequences of DNA at the end of chromosomes) are what cause visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and slow cell regeneration.
3. Epigenetic modification: This happens when environmental factors alter gene function, accelerating skin aging and metabolic problems, Zalzala said.
4. Loss of proteostasis: “Misfolded proteins lead to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” said Dr.
5. Mitochondrial dysfunction: According to Seismic, decreased energy production leads to fatigue and muscle weakness.
6. Deregulated Nutrient Sensing: “Inefficiency in regulating metabolism and controlling energy production is what causes us to age,” said Dr.
7. Cellular senescence With this phenomenon, cells stop dividing, leading to signs of aging such as thin skin and age spots.
8. Stem Cell Exhaustion: “Fewer stem cells result in gray hair and slower tissue repair,” notes Zeleza.
9. Altered intercellular communication: Poor cell communication weakens tissue health and immune response, according to Dr.
10. Impaired Macro-Autophagy: According to Science Direct, it’s the slowing down of processes that provide cells with metabolites and energy.
11. Chronic inflammation: As people get older, increased inflammation is directly linked to many diseases and the effects of aging, experts agree.
12. Dysbiosis: This condition causes an imbalance in the micro-organisms within the body, which can have negative health effects, per the Cleveland Clinic.
Many signs of aging can be addressed through behavioral changes, Dr. (iStock)
Many of these symptoms can be addressed through behavioral changes, Earthquake said.
He said that lifestyle can benefit from many things. “For example, eating too much processed food, not exercising and being sedentary promotes inflammation, and this accelerates the aging process.”
5 cornerstones of health
The doctor shares some of his habits in each of the five “buckets” of healthy living.
1. Eating right
Earthquake follows a “Paleo-like” diet, consisting mainly of vegetables, low-glycemic fruits and lean protein.
“I stay away from overly processed foods, excessive sweets, and foods with too many starches or simple sugars,” she said.
“Eating highly processed foods, lack of exercise and being sedentary promote inflammation and accelerate the aging process.”
Earthquake noted that there is considerable debate about whether grains are healthy. He avoids them.
“From a pure health standpoint, I don’t think they have much nutritional value,” he said.
According to Zelema, when it comes to fruit, not all are created equal.
Earthquake follows a “Paleo-like” diet, consisting mainly of vegetables, low-glycemic fruits and lean protein. (iStock)
“Bananas and grapes are high-glycemic foods — you want to stick to low-glycemic fruits like berries and cherries.”
The doctor also avoids drinking alcohol.
“Alcohol is not very good for longevity, and I would recommend limiting it,” he said. “Further studies show that there really is no optimal level of alcohol consumption.”
2. Stay active
While Zalza said he’s “not a huge exercise guy,” he recognizes the importance of physical activity in slowing aging.
He uses a walking desk in his office for a few hours a day, and he takes martial arts classes with his teenage son.
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The doctor also spends 20 or 30 minutes a day exercising, including riding a stationary bike, using a rowing machine and lifting free weights.
“I try to get in a little bit of cardio and a little bit of resistance training every day,” Zalzala said.
3. Choosing the right medication
While Zalza said he is “very comfortable” with the drugs, they should be prescribed carefully based on each person’s individual health goals.
One drug he takes regularly is metformin, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Although the aging process may look different for different people, researchers have identified some “common denominators” of cellular and molecular aging. (iStock)
Some studies show that metformin may help promote longer life and better health outcomes, the doctor said.
“I started taking it mostly for prevention, because I’ve always struggled with my weight,” Zalzala said.
The doctor also recently started taking rapamycin, an immunosuppressant that has been touted for its potential longevity-promoting properties.
“Having a way to measure and monitor sleep is critical.”
Earthquake also sometimes takes acarbose, an antidiabetic drug that helps control blood sugar.
“When I eat starches and carbohydrates, I try to take acarbose to limit blood sugar spikes — and it also helps improve the microbiome,” he said.
While Zalza said he is “very comfortable” with the drugs, they should be prescribed carefully based on each person’s individual health goals. (iStock)
Recently, Zalza started taking atorvastatin (Lapitar) to help keep her cholesterol at a healthy level.
“I have a family history of heart disease, and I couldn’t lower my LDL cholesterol with diet and exercise alone,” she said.
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Doctors sometimes take NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme that helps regulate metabolism.
“Aging or certain disease states can deplete the body of NAD+, so I take it here and there when I’m feeling drained and need an energy boost,” he said.
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“There’s more and more data showing that maintaining youthful energy levels can help with all sorts of things, so I take it as needed for mitochondrial support and general longevity. “
4. Supplement for health
Earthquake has always been an advocate of supplements to promote healthy living.
“Over the years, I’ve tried a bunch of different supplements — I always like to try things on myself, see how I feel, see how it moves the marker.”
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He said that vitamin D is among the most important supplements.
Studies show that vitamin D supplements can help improve bone health, brain health and immune function, among other benefits.
Studies show that vitamin D supplements can help improve bone health, mental health and immune function. (iStock)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, is another top choice. Some studies show that DHEA helps reduce belly fat, improve insulin resistance, and reduce inflammation in the arteries.
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The doctor also takes Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant supplement, to counteract the potential side effects of his heart medications.
“If you don’t get your sleep right, very few things matter, because it will throw off your metabolism and all your hormones,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)
“As long as one is free of any major disease, I think most supplements will do no harm and can be beneficial if taken judiciously,” he said.
The doctor emphasized that it’s important to talk to a doctor before starting any new medication, supplement or exercise program.
5. Improving sleep hygiene
One of the most important and overlooked aspects of health is sleep, according to Seismy.
“If you can’t get your sleep right, very few things matter, because it’s going to throw off your metabolism and all your hormones,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“So having a way to measure and monitor sleep is very important.”
If one is experiencing insomnia or another sleep disorder, it is important to talk to a doctor about ways to improve sleep, the doctor advised.
