Age, after all, is just a number. It’s how we feel that’s what counts. Two 60-year-old people may feel 20 years apart on the inside. Many of these factors we can control by eating right, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and not engaging in dangerous habits like smoking and drinking alcohol in excess.
Doing each of these things will keep your body healthy and prevent it from aging on a cellular level. Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has a look at five natural factors that speed-up the aging process.
- Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the body’s defenses against infection, and a poor diet without enough vitamins and minerals can cause inflammation all over the body, which can lead to an increased risk in diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers.
- Metabolism
The natural aging of your metabolic processes cause you to not burn calories as quickly as you once did. Staying active, getting enough protein, and drinking cold water can keep giving your metabolism the boost it needs.
- Macromolecular Damage
Sometimes, your body’s chemistry works against you. These compounds can cause problems in your DNA, which causes aging throughout the body.
- Decreased Stem Cell Production
Stem cells become new cells to heal and rebuild parts of your body. This process slows with age, which is why you are seeing stem cell therapies emerging, especially in athletes who have worn-down joints.
- Stress Response
Your body can not adapt to physical and emotional stress in old age as well as it did when you were younger, and they take a more physical toll. This can include a major event like losing a spouse or something long-term like caregiving or financial concerns.
To learn more about Ellicott Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit http://ellicott-center.facilities.centershealthcare.org/.
