Imbalances in hormones causing aging; , we can theoretically get young if we can make the telomere recover by applying growth hormones

2014-02-07 17:44

Imbalances in hormones causing aging
According to the doctor who specializes in anti-aging, there are around 11 theories on why people get old. Among them, telomere theory, antioxidant theory, neuro-endocrinology, and calorie restriction theory are the ones most actively studied.By Yoon Ja-young
Dreaming of living to be 120 may no longer just be that with the development of medicine and a generally healthier populace. What matters more is how to age healthy. Dr. Lucia Chung, who runs Palm Springs Seoul Clinic in Cheongdam-dong, a branch clinic of the Palm Springs Life Extension Institute in the United States, says anti-aging treatments aim at enabling a healthy life after retirement by restoring balance within our body.

“As telomere, or the part at the end of the chromosome, gets shorter, there increases the risk of abnormal cell division there, which consequently leads to aging. Hence, we can theoretically get young if we can make the telomere recover by applying growth hormones. Free radicals, which also negatively affect the genes and lead to aging, can be dealt with using antioxidants,” the doctor said, introducing some of the medical theories where anti-aging therapies are based on.

In neuro-endocrinology theory, the focus is on the balance of the hormones.

“In the past, doctors said hormone levels fall as we age. Now, we say we age because we lose balances in our hormones. That means we can get young by making up for the hormones that we lack,” Dr. Chung said. She said that not only male or female hormones fall. “You can think of estrogen and progesterone for females and testosterone for males, but that’s not all. Human growth hormone, DHEA, and melatonin all fall.” According to the doctor, many of the symptoms of the aging are related with the hormonal changes. For instance, senior citizens often complain of sleep disturbance. Many suffer insomnia, and they don’t fall into a deep sleep. They constantly wake up. “They often say that they get up due to the urge of urination, but in fact it is due to the melatonin. If they had enough melatonin, the sleep hormone, they would be in deep sleep. Then, their body will produce antidiuretic hormones, which will hinder formation of urine. They are not waking up due to urination, but they are having the urge as they lack the antidiuretic hormone because they aren’t sleeping well.” She added that many of symptoms of the aging, such as loss of memory, increase of blood cholesterol level, dry skin, and falling immunity are all partly affected by hormone levels. The patients thus get diverse hormone levels checked, and will pull them up to the optimal range through treatment. “The anti-aging therapy aims at recovering the balance in our body, rather than using medication,” she said.

The doctor, however, stressed that the hormones used for the treatment should be bio-identical, citing recent controversy over female hormone replacement treatment using hormones extracted from the urine of the pregnant female horse.

When asked to give tips on how to remain young, she stressed avoiding overeating. It has to do with the calories restriction theory in anti-aging treatment, according to which we can enjoy longevity by taking small calories as calories intake causes free radicals. “However, you shouldn’t reduce calories too much. You can ruin your health. It should be high protein, low calories diet,” she said.

She also emphasized trying to increase physical activity in daily life. “If you drive, park your car a little farther, and get off the bus at one stop before the destination.”

The doctor showed concern over cell phones, due to the electromagnetic wave. “We use it too much. Leave it over 1.5 meter away, at least when you are in bed. Use wire phones if you can. It decreases melatonin.”