Aging Can Be Reversed

Can aging be reversed? Dr. Ronald Klatz, president of the Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, says that scientific studies have shown aging can be reversed.

In his book Grow Young, he says that the human growth hormone (HGH) increases until age 21, then decreases until age 70 up to approximately 80 percent. What scientists have discovered is that by increasing the level of HGH in the body, the symptoms we associate with growing old, are actually reversed over a period of three to six months.

The HGH used in studies reported by Klatz was synthetically produced and injected into the body by a hypodermic needle. The annual cost of this therapy can be as high as $30,000.

But this need not be expensive. A new scientifically proven natural food supplement has been formulated. Called "Enjuvenate," it is a powdered drink with a blend of herbal products proven to stimulate the pituitary gland and cause it, safely and naturally, to increase its production of the human growth hormone.

Cellular level

Any discussion of aging must begin at the cellular level. Whatever the causes, aging ultimately affects the ability of cells of the body to perform their vital functions. This is manifested in other organizational levels of the body, including the tissues, the organs and ultimately, the organ systems. It is likely that a number of factors contribute to the aging process which ultimately affects life span as well as quality of life.

It is likely that aging may, in fact, be a combination of several theories. All have individual merits, but none alone can account for all the effects of aging. These theories include genetic influences such as programmed cell death or aptosis, accumulated cellular damage caused by reactive molecules that damage cellular components, or normal "wear and tear" associated with diet and lifestyle.

Genetically, it has been proposed that cells are programmed to replicate only a certain number of times and then die. In addition, some theories state that the genetic material of cells, DNA, undergoes changes over time and structure. This structural alteration can affect the production of important proteins in the cell.

Free radicals

Over our life span, our cells are constantly bombarded with reactive free radicals produced as a natural consequence of cellular metabolism or through increased exposure to chemicals in the environment. These free radicals cause damage to cellular structures, especially the important cell membranes.

Both intrinsic and diet-derived antioxidants help neutralize free radicals before they can cause damage. A decrease in the levels of antioxidants can lead to more accumulated cellular damage.

Studies with monkeys have shown that by reducing the amount of food by about half (caloric restriction), life span is increased. Presumably, the attendant reduction in cellular metabolism slows aging by reducing the amount of free radicals produced.

Nerve cells (neurons) are particularly susceptible to the effects of aging. This is primarily because mature neurons do not divide and any damage quickly accumulates.

This effect on the nervous system also affects the Thalamo-hypothalamo pituitary axis, which is an important control mechanism for proper hormone function. Aging, thus, causes alterations to normal hormonal release, which in turn affects other body systems.

(Attend a free seminar on anti-aging on Sept. 29, 2-5 p.m., at the Corregidor Function Room of the Century Park Hotel in Manila, and on Sept. 30, 9-5 p.m., at the Badjao Function Room of the same hotel.

Medical practitioners will be scheduled on Sept. 29, 6-8 p.m., at the Kachina Lounge of the same venue. Interested parties may contact the secretariat at 371-7015 to 16.)