Trouble sleeping through the night or is memory on decline? Chances are,
you are experiencing the downward slope of aging. Aging is the big umbrella of many conditions, one being frailty. Frailty stems from a decline of hormones as we age. Signs of aging can be reversed with exercise, supplements using bio-identical hormones plus a nutrition plan to reach optimal health levels, regaining vitality.
Hormones rule, let’s face it. They are the dictators in our body, manufactured in the endocrine glands, released into the bloodstream and stay busy, working bio-chemical effects on receptor sites regulating everything from growth, temperature and aging. Hormones regulate every organ in the body, motivating cells to do their thing. So when hormone levels drop, aging occurs. In any given population, a large portion of those 65 and older, suffer from frailty syndrome, according to the website, Pub Med.
Exercise
One powerful tool to reverse the aging process and inhibit frailty is to improve muscle- to-fat ratio. Sarcopenia, an element of frailty, is muscle loss caused by lack of exercise. The average person loses approximately 7 pounds of muscle every decade, so by the time the body reaches age 70, the body has lost half its muscle mass which leads to frailness.
Grip strength is one determination of frailty. Strength exercises, using free weights or taking Pilates classes, prevent decline in muscle mass. Stretching is also a very important component to an exercise regime. It improves circulation and helps relax, balance and energize the body. Always check with a health care practitioner before starting an exercise regime.
Diet
Poor appetite is a symptom of frailty syndrome. Unintentional weight loss, losing 10 pounds during a year, shows frailty in progression. As we age, taste buds decrease and salty and sugary foods seem appealing, which add fire to the problem. Also, established life long diet patterns are challenging to alter. Working with a nutritionist can benefit any diet to guide one to proper nutrition.
Increasing fiber and water intake are crucial for promoting healthy insulin and blood sugar response. Protein is a crucial part of of muscle and its needed for hormones involved with tissue growth and repair. Vegetable protein should always be included in a diet, such as nuts, beans and certain grains. Watch portion sizes and eat frequently.
Supplements
Supplements are necessary in today’s lifestyle of “empty calories”. Many aspects of “life” deplete nutrients, causing hormonal imbalance. Stress, caffeine and prescribed and over-the-counter medications are just a few factors that rob the body of nutrients.
A full spectrum vitamin, using all natural ingredients that quickly absorb, is helpful for muscle and nerve function and hormone regulation. Essential fatty acids fight inflammation, a huge player in frailty and also helps with cognition and depression, another element of the condition. Bio-identical hormones are one way for women to retrieve vitality and reduce frailness.
They are not hormone replacement drugs and have been proved safe in multiple studies. Used in Europe for many years, they have approval of the FDA. It is best to discuss matters with a health care practitioner to decide the approach best for one’s body.
