Have you heard about 45-year-old CEO Bryan Johnson, who spends a fortune trying to be 18 again? His “Blueprint Project” involves 100+ daily protocols for eating, exercise, and sleeping. As a human experiment, Johnson is living this question:
Is the fountain of youth here right now hiding in tens of thousands of scientific publications and really hard work?
According to longevity expert Dan Buettner, the answer is probably not — yet. The trick is to extend your healthspan long enough to benefit from future scientific advancements that deliver an aging rewind.
Luckily, you don’t need to go to extreme measures to start the flow of the fountain of youth. All you have to do is become aware of and address a leading cause of the diseases of aging: inflammation.
Intro to “Inflammaging”
Inflammation is vital to the body’s natural defense system, sending cells to fight acute conditions like injuries or illnesses. But as we get older, inflammation can become chronic, compromising the immune system and damaging organs and arteries. In the US alone, 60% of Americans develop conditions or have existing issues complicated by low-level chronic inflammation.
This process is referred to as “inflammaging,” and it is thought to represent a significant risk factor for conditions like heart disease, cancers, diabetes, muscle loss, as well as brain disorders like dementia and depression.
Unlike acute inflammation, which you’re aware of thanks to swelling and pain, chronic inflammation is silent. Most of us don’t realize when an acute condition morphs into an ongoing low-grade inflammation, as our bodies tend to make less of immunity-triggering chemicals as we age. Plus, conditions like obesity can exacerbate the inflammation situation.
While there is no one calming elixir, it’s not hard to turn down the heat on your brain and body. All you have to do is make some tactical nutritional and lifestyle shifts.
The Right Snuff
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: the “typical” American diet, chock full o’ refined carbs, sodium, added sugar, and saturated fats, destroys your health. A big part of why Mediterranean and Nordic people, along with Blue Zones icons, the Okinawans, enjoy excellent longevity is their food choices naturally combat inflammation.
There are thousands of health-promoting substances in healthier foods, including wider-known ones like vitamins, minerals, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, and lesser-known ones, such as flavan-3-ols (in tea and cocoa) and anthocyanins (in blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and other red and purple plant foods).
Plus, they’re physically active and get plenty of rest. Make those choices, and consider adding other soothing practices like hot and cold therapy to your regime. Then you’ll be on your way to naturally tamping down inflammation — and firing up your lifespan and healthspan.
How Inflammation Ages Your Brain (Psychology Today)
