Anti-aging Research

People are starting to live longer. Because of this, anti-aging research has increased with the goal of helping us live a longer and healthier life. Several interesting breakthroughs in anti-aging have been reported by the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. If you are interested in finding an anti-aging physician, they can point you in the right direction.

The Research

I'm not a doctor but I do love to read. I've read several books on anti-aging and am continuing to read and research these areas. Stop back often to see what I've found out. Some of these breakthroughs are medical, while others deal with a more natural approach.

Photo by Clix

Personally, I favor the more natural approach, but am not averse to medicine that is truly beneficial. If you find one of these techniques interesting or are interested in an antiaging treatment, be sure to research it more thoroughly and check with your doctor.

One doctor that many people have heard of is Dr. Nicholas Perricone. Dr. Perricone, a dermatologist, is well known for his research into the physical signs of aging. He has also written many books outlining his findings.

A-G-E

One term that has been in the news lately is A-G-E, advanced glycation end products. This is not a hormone or treatment option, rather what happens in our bodies as a result of too much sugar or foods cooked on high, dry heat.

AGEs decrease the effectiveness of the proteins in the body and causes aging. The more AGEs the quicker and more noticeable the aging process. To combat this process, reduce your sugar intake and don't eat fried, grilled or broiled foods. Choose foods that are cooked with moist heat.

Melatonin

One substance that doctors are researching is melatonin. It is responsible for regulating our sleep. When more is present in our system, we become sleepy and when the substance is decreased, we wake up. In fact, melatonin supplements are available for travelers to help combat jet lag. But what does that have to do with aging?

As we age, our melatonin production decreases. Many older folks complain of not being able to sleep at night. This could be why. Our bodies repair themselves while we sleep, so sleep is important. But more than just helping us sleep, anti-aging research suggests that melatonin may in fact trick our bodies into thinking that we are still young and boost the immune system.

Human Growth Hormone (hGH)

Another hormone that decreases with age is the human growth hormone (known as hGH). Anti-aging research is also being done in this area. While this hormone has shown some success in building lean muscle and thickening skin, in addition to other benefits, there is still no indication of what the long term affects on the body might be. There are side effects to hGH and those wishing to enjoy its benefits should consult with their doctor. Synthetic hGH is only available through a doctor.

Another alternative is to increase your body's ability to release more hGH into your blood stream. High intensity exercise raises the hGH level in our blood. This includes activities such as lifting weights, sprinting and sports like racquetball.

DHEA

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is the most abundant steroid hormone in our bodies. And as with other hormones, it too decreases with age. Research is being done to see if increasing this hormone can safely enhance our aging body systems. Proponents of this treatment believe that increasing DHEA to higher levels will also increase a person's health. Some physicians are prescribing this hormone, however more research still needs to be done. No long term studies have proven anti-aging benefits.

Stem Cells

There has been a lot of research done with stem cells. Now I'm opposed to embryonic stem cell usage, and it's been shown that it's not all that effective. However, more research is being done with adult stem cells. Research from Johns Hopkins Medical School showed that adult stem cells can become neurons in the recipients brain. This shows the possibility that your brain can be repaired. More detailed information on adult stem cell research and what that can mean to longevity and antiaging can be found at Stem Cell Miracles.com

If you have an interest in anti-aging research and the treatments that are available, check with your doctor. There are anti-aging physicians around the world. The American Academy of Antiaging Medicine can assist you in finding out about these and other antiaging treatments.