The anti-aging market is booming because, well, who doesn't want to look young, healthy and vibrant for as long as possible? And while there are many anti-aging products and systems marketed to the public, few people realize the most effective way to slow down the visible passage of time is to give the body the nutrients it needs to be truly healthy.
A Little Background
Science has been linking aging and age-related diseases to telomere length for decades. Telomeres are DNA sequences on the end of your chromosomes that shorten each time a cell replicates. At some point in our lives, each telomere will reach its "shortening" limit, which results in poor cell health, disease risk and – when cell replication ceases – death.1
In 1962, biologist Leonard Hayflick computed, based on his calculations of cell replications, that humans could not live longer than 120 years.2 Now, 55 years later, research is beginning to show we can influence the lengths of our telomeres by eating an optimal diet.
The Excuse
Genetics are not the uncompromising, evil stepmothers we sometimes imagine they are. Genes can be influenced by our diet. Weaknesses in our genetic makeup can be counterbalanced with the proper nutrients, because genes are, in fact, pliable.
So, while different people may be more susceptible to certain age-related problems, diseases, or addictions, the food we put into our bodies can influence our genes and will ultimately determine our longevity and quality of life.
Let's Talk About Guts
Our stomachs and intestines are wonderful indicators of age (and play a large role in determining how old we feel). If a patient's gut lacks the normal, healthy bacteria that play a role in everything from breaking down food to bolstering the immune system, they may experience premature aging or illness. But how and why do patients find themselves in this condition?
Unfortunately, one of the main culprits is a staple in the standard American diet – high-fructose corn syrup. This is easily one of the most consumed ingredients in the United States, so it's no wonder gut health is such a problem in this country.
Along with antibiotics, artificial sweeteners, and stress, high-fructose corn syrup destroys our healthy gut flora.3 Because the bacteria in our gut play a huge role in our health, their absence can cause the body to age prematurely.
Eating the wrong foods can also wreak havoc in the stomach, inhibiting the body's ability to break down and assimilate the nutrients needed for youth and vitality. The stomach's proper pH is between 2 and 3, which provides ideal conditions for the digestion of protein, carbs and fats. When the pH level changes because of something like coffee, soda or a donut, the gastric mucosa is disrupted, and the stomach becomes less able to break down protein effectively.
When the body isn't digesting or assimilating protein, the body will start to tear itself apart, looking for amino acids in existing structures.4 This makes a body frail, weak and tired – three indicators of the aging process.
Help Your Patients Grow Younger With Nutrition
The good news is that a healthy, plant-based diet can interfere in the process we normally associate with aging. We can actually prevent the shortening of our telomeres (and even lengthen them!) with the right nutrition. Consider the role the following nutrients play in the aging process:5
The Bottom Line
A healthy lifestyle will help slow the aging process and prevent a wide range of illnesses from destroying a patient's quality of life. If you encourage your patients to get the nutrients they need from a balanced diet - and help them fill the gaps through supplementation - you will find that they look (and feel!) younger and stronger than they've felt in years.
I recommend an unprocessed, natural diet that includes plenty of leafy greens, fresh fruits, nuts, and lean proteins. This type of diet, combined with regular exercise, will help to keep the body looking and feeling young for many years to come.
References
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
