There are several debates on longevity in the wellness industry. It can go as extreme as plasma exchange or as simple as a routine weight loss advice. And, when one refers to longevity, anti-ageing entrepreneur Bryan Johnson cannot be left out of the discussion. Garnering mixed reactions from experts, medical professionals, and fitness enthusiasts, he has often been accused of going ‘too far’ with his efforts to reverse ageing.
Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, Dr Michael Roizen, shared his insight into the ‘biohacker’ routine and how managing stress is the superpower behind longevity. Being a ‘non-negotiable’ on his personal list, he revealed some everyday lifestyle changes to financialexpress.com that are easy to follow and practice.
Science behind ‘bio-hacking’
According to Roizen, “slowing ageing with stress management, food choices, portion size and timing,” are the early steps to help slow ageing. He added, “Doing the four forms of physical activity shown to slow ageing, getting sleep and protecting your brain, and avoiding unforced errors are key to slowing ageing.” However, he warned that common supplements which claim to provide longevity have not been fully proven in humans yet.
Biologically, longevity means slowing down the process of ageing and “decreasing the risk of disability and death.” Roizen explained to financialexpress.com, “it makes your cells slow their change toward ageing cells.” Calling longevity ‘YOUngevity’, the Cleveland Clinic official shared that longevity efforts make cells look younger, change their organelles, making them “function as if much younger.” Roizen busted the myth behind actual age reversal and shared, “Key markers are protein composition and cell morphology. Epigenetic age hasn’t proven reliable and consistent enough or accurate enough to be used except in misleading shams.”
Role of stress management
“Stress is the greatest ager and controls over 250 of your genes,” remarked Roizen. He advised that managing stress was the “greatest way to stay young,” as a means to prepare your cells to stay young. He predicted that it was 80% likely that in 8 years, science would be able to reverse cell-age to a younger state!
It all starts with achievability. Roizen advised that those interested in ‘reversing their biological age’ should pick an attainable goal. “Almost everyone knows what to do, so staying younger (slowing ageing) is a matter of finding something you can and want to do – start there,” he remarked. Visiting India for the Pema Wellness summit, he shared how Indian Ayurveda can be a huge stress management tool, which focuses on holistic healing and mind-body activities.
Roizen’s 5 non-negotiables
Giving his personal guide to ‘YOUngevity’, Roizen shared five longevity practices he considered non-negotiables as a wellness expert. They are stress management, which includes nurturing friends, having a passion, helping people, and more. He further added physical activity and avoiding unforced errors to the list. He also actively advocated ‘keeping your brain young’ and avoiding the food felons, which include simple sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, and enriched flours.
Disclaimer: Always consult a doctor before starting any diet or fitness routine. Always seek the advice of your doctor with any questions about a medical condition.
