Staying Younger Longer
As a practicing physician of more than twenty years, I have long witnessed what happens to most people as they grow old. As a result, I used to dread aging. The prospect of facing the seemingly inevitable scenario of becoming feeble, forgetful, feeling sick, taking medications and making frequent doctors’ visits was not something I looked forward to.
Worse, most of my colleagues in modern medicine had come to define this aging process as normal. But over the years, several things have changed my mind about the prospect.
First, I’ve learned that getting older and aging are not synonymous. I do want to get older; I just don’t want to lose anything in the process. I’d like to keep my strength, flexibility, energy, vitality and mental acuity. Many of my patients have taught me that losing those is not the inevitable result of getting older.
More importantly, I have also learned that all of us have control over our aging process. We can control how quickly we age.
Yes! You heard me. You can do this by managing your immune system–because it turns out that all of the unwanted changes of aging have been revealed to originate from an overactive immune system. The same defense system that protects us early in life from dangerous infections later turns on us and causes damage to our organs–blood vessels, brain, heart, glands, joints, etc. The damage to our body caused by our own immune system accumulates over time as aging–the loss of bodily function.
This means that once you understand how to manage your immune system, you do not have to age the way others do. You can avoid cancer, diabetes, stroke, Alzheimer’s, and so many other diseases which medical science now realizes are caused or aggravated by an overactive immune system.
I came to this realization slowly in my career, learning from my own patients. The more I practiced, the more I encountered examples of what I’d consider to be ultra-successful aging; patients who were pushing 100 years old, and who had minds that were sharp and fit–and bodies not far behind. What, I wondered, made them so successful at aging? Repeatedly, I found that each and every shining example of successful aging revealed markers of healthy immune function, without immune hyperactivity.
Two years of research have since helped me to learn how we can gain control over our immune system and prevent it from damaging our bodies and aging us prematurely. I’ve written what I’ve learned in UltraLongevity – The Seven-Step Program for a Younger, Healthier You (Little Brown September 2007).
I don’t believe I would have realized this if I had continued working in emergency rooms and intensive care units. There, almost everybody has an overactive immune system. My understanding of the immune system came only after my own career shifted from the typical Western medicine of treating disease to the wellness environment of Canyon Ranch, where I’ve worked for the past fourteen years.
Canyon Ranch medicine centers on prevention, health improvement, optimal health and successful aging. Of course, we also diagnose and manage disease, but our focus is wellness and helping clients feel the very best they possibly can.
The experience of working with people who take an active role in their health has been eye opening and has changed my expectations of what optimal health can be at any age.
It has also dispelled some of my preconceived notions and prevailing myths about health and aging. For example, like most people, I once believed that your genes had the most powerful effect on your health, and by looking at your parents you had a good idea of where you were headed, health-wise. But I’ve now seen so many examples of people avoiding “genetic destiny” by adopting healthier lifestyles than their parents that I no longer believe in genetic pre-determinism.
The past fourteen years have given me a new insight into the power of both the human body and the human spirit, and when both are aligned I’ve seen nearly miraculous results that have made me question the conventional wisdom I was taught in medical school. Since then, I’ve learned from my patients that not everything I was taught is necessarily true.
Hello- I am wondering if you can suggest any other cookbooks that would support your theories. I know you like the Canyon Ranch food but so much of that is spa-like and much harder to do on a regular basis. As I said in another post the recipes in your current book are kind of complex, with a long ingredient list.
↓ Quote | Posted September 29, 2007, 4:22 pmAlso, can you comment on Gary Taubes new book “Good Calories, Bad Calories” - is he someone I should be listening to as well? It all gets so confusing… seems mostly around issues of fat and saturated fat as it relates to general health and heart disease- thanks!
May-be I judged your book too quickly but as consumers we are a little stressed out on all these books and different theories!
Best- Greg
Hi Greg and thanks for your post.
↓ Quote | Posted September 30, 2007, 11:57 amIt depends on whether you’re trying to lose weight, or eat a diet for optimal health, and if you have any special needs or requirements. Eating strategies are also different than diets, per se, and usually both are required to give you the most options. In my book the eating strategies are included in the chapter under the 2nd step (Eat), and the meals are in the 8-day meal plan. As I say in the book, we don’t expect people to follow the 8-day plan exactly, but to mix and match, experiment, and try different recipes. In the process you’re likely to have some discoveries, for example, that you feel satisfied with smaller portions or that healthy food tastes great, etc.
Thanks!
Dr. Mark
Hello, I just discovered your blog after reading your column in the Huffington Post. I am so glad I found you, as health and fitness have been a life long program for myself and my family.
↓ Quote | Posted October 3, 2007, 4:43 amFrom what I’ve read sofar, you strongly focus on the immune system.
Several times a year I do a 7 day detox program based on “The Seven Day Detox Miracle” by Peter Bennett and Stephen Barrie.
How do you feel about detoxing and do you have a system that you recommend?
Thanks for a great blog.
I wish you peace, love, and laughter
Hi
↓ Quote | Posted October 4, 2007, 7:00 pmI am new to this information about the overactive immune system. However a bit confused I was always of the belief of boosting the immune system is a good mechanism for healthy status for example taking vitamins, supplements, wholefoods etc.
My question now is this belief true or not.
Thanks
Hi all! In response to Gypsy Girl - the concept of “detoxing” is attractive, but could be stressful to your body… my opinion is that it’s better not to accumulate toxins than to have to detox. So avoiding putting toxins into your body is the best strategy. During any kind of detox program, the toxins that have accumulated are mobilized and ultimately excreted and it’s possible that high intensity detox programs actually put too much stress on the body. I’d suggest viewing detox as a continuous process - you avoid exposure to them, and you constantly support your body’s elimination of them. That way there’s no sudden jolt to your system. If somebody has an unwanted exposure to toxins, they may have to do a more intensive program, but for most of us, detox is really a constant process. The two biggest factors are drinking more filtered water, and eating more dietary fiber - these enhance the body’s elimination of toxins. There are lots of ways to support the liver’s detox. These are discussed in my book Ultraprevention (Scribner).
↓ Quote | Posted October 6, 2007, 7:09 amThanks Gypsy Girl!!
Hi Ria - thanks for your post. The concept of “boosting” is actually not quite right. I prefer “enhancing”. You want an immune system that’s “ready, willing, and able” to fight, but not actively engaged in any battle (because WE are the battlefield).
↓ Quote | Posted October 6, 2007, 7:12 amThis is a new way of thinking about the immune system and aging, so you’re not the only one who is ‘new to this information.” Much more in the book… thanks!
I have to say, that I could not agree with you in 100% regarding Staying Younger Longer, but it’s just my opinion, which could be wrong
↓ Quote | Posted November 22, 2007, 4:26 pmHi, my name is disman-kl, i like your site and i ll be back
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↓ Quote | Posted January 13, 2008, 12:37 amHello Wow what a fantastic article about Healthy Food! Your keen insight into Healthy Food is informative and creative. I look forward to reading other articles you have. Thanks.
↓ Quote | Posted April 29, 2008, 6:25 pm