Longevity is so much more than a long lifespan.
Longevity is about, not only living a longer life, but living a healthier life. Oftentimes, people will say that would not want to live to 100 because they would not want to live to be in an incapacitated state. However, by taking steps towards your optimal healthspan and lifespan in daily life, you can enjoy an abundance of vitality well into your older years.
So, during a time when cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other chronic illnesses seem like a natural consequence of aging, how do we beat the odds and increase our longevity?
What Are Blue Zones?
National Geographic Fellow and best-selling author, Dan Buettner, studied the five regions in the world considered “Blue Zones,” areas where people live the longest and are also the healthiest.
These longevity hotspots include: Okinawa, Japan: Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.
So how do they do it? What are these communities doing that the average American isn’t to live into triple digits, without reliance on prescriptions, chronic illness, or constant medical intervention? What is the “magic formula” for a long, healthy life?
Here were the common trends across these Blue Zones:
Movement: Compared to the average American office worker who sits for 15 hours a day, people in these regions move throughout their day. They grow and tend gardens, hand wash their laundry, and press their own grapes—they move constantly, in a way that is unintentional, natural, and highly beneficial to their health.
Mindset: According to the research, knowing your sense of purpose may be worth at least seven years of extra life expectancy. In Okinawa this concept is called ikigai, in Nicoya it is plan de vida. People in the blue zones have a deep sense of knowing. They understand and live every day in accordance with their higher purpose.
The 80% Rule: This rule suggests that you stop eating when your stomach is 80% full. People in the blue zones also eat their smallest meal in the late afternoon or early evening and don’t eat for the rest of the day, reflecting a diet similar to intermittent fasting.
Connection: People in Blue Zones live close to family, interact in person (not over the phone), and attend community events regularly. Studies show that loneliness may be the equivalent of smoking 15 cigarettes daily, so make sure you are feeling (and staying) connected with the people you care about.
Next-Level Longevity Tips
Shifting to a lifestyle similar to these Blue Zones is an incredible start to promoting your longevity. However, we now have access to cutting-edge medical services that can empower you to live longer and healthier.
Bio-Identical Hormone Replacement Therapy
Hormone dysfunction is one of the main contributors to signs of aging in the United States. Hormones play a critical role in many areas of male wellness including metabolism, neurological function, and physical ability. Because of their broad influence, hormone deficiency can cause numerous symptoms such as fatigue, inability to lose weight, loss of muscle, lack of motivation, changes in mood, low libido, and more.
Without an adequate supply of various hormones, the body can easily malfunction and develop serious disorders and dysfunctions. Fortunately, we may resolve hormone deficiency and its associated symptoms by utilizing bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT).
By supplying the body with natural hormones through BHRT, you can support important areas of health including mental wellness, weight management, hair growth, skin health, athletic performance, mood stability, longevity, and so much more.
Learn more about BHRT for men here
Learn more about BHRT for women here
Ozone Therapy
Inflammation is a chronic issue in the United States where everything from our food to cleaning products to makeup is ultra-processed and packed with chemicals that elicit an inflammatory response in the body.
Ozone Therapy is a whole-body healing treatment that is often a core component of an integrative medical plan for those dealing with chronic infections Lyme disease or are immunocompromised.
This is because all pathogens die in the presence of oxygen, making Ozone Therapy a potent anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral.
Ozone Therapy works by introducing ozone into the bloodstream, typically through an IV. Ozone, which consists of three oxygen atoms bound together and is nicknamed a “supercharged” form of oxygen, then encourages bio-rejuvenation. This process is associated with numerous potential benefits including:
- Stimulating the immune system
- Improving detoxification
- Increasing circulation
- Enhancing energy levels
- Reversing signs of aging
Learn more about the benefits of Ozone Therapy here
NAD+ Therapy
Another one of the main causes of aging- decrease in NAD levels. NAD stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide and this molecule reacts with oxygen in every cell of the body, specifically in the mitochondria. As we age, our natural supply of NAD decreases. In fact, we lose approximately 40% of our NAD levels by the age of 40.
NAD is needed for vital bodily functions including energy production, breathing, pumping blood, and much more. A lack of this cellular fuel is common in conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), depression, anxiety, and even addiction issues. As a cofactor, NAD is involved in hundreds of enzymatic reactions such as DNA repair and chromosomal stability. Issues with DNA repair and even DNA damage are linked to chronic health problems and certain types of cancers. Other enzymatic reactions that NAD is involved in include:
- The communication and signaling between immune cells
- The body’s ability to decrease inflammation
- The prevention of oxidative stress
- The production of neurotransmitters
- The body’s circadian rhythm and sleep cycle
- The activity of sirtuins (aid in longevity)
- The production of telomeres (which can affect longevity and lifespan)
This leads to stereotypical signs of aging such as sluggishness, lack of mental clarity, fatigue, and more. By naturally supporting your body’s supply of NAD with NAD IV Therapy, you can experience a variety of mental and physical benefits including:
- Improve Mental Clarity
- Enhance Mental & Physical Energy
- Boost Immunity
- Support Vascular & Heart Health
- Promote longevity
Studies have shown NAD encourages longevity as it helps repair damaged DNA, improves stress resistance, and reduces inflammation, all of which help minimize the effects of aging.
Moreover, low levels of NAD are associated with common age-related issues such as an increased occurrence of sunburn, skin cancer, decreased metabolism and thyroid hormones, and a decrease in cellular antioxidants. Learn more about the benefits of NAD Therapy here
Comprehensive Testing
Testing is really the most effective place to start when you are invested in your longevity. At Holtorf Medical Group, we take a data-driven, individualized approach to your health with our comprehensive testing.
Whether you are suffering from an imbalance of thyroid dysfunction, hormone imbalances, vitamin deficiencies, or another underlying issue that may not be tested by a standard practitioner, our medical detectives will uncover what’s holding you back. From there, our board-certified physicians will guide and empower your health journey, so you can live your healthiest life, longer.
Learn more about our testing services here
If you are interested in investing in your longevity, contact us today.
