We really don’t change that much with age. For instance, personality doesn’t change much as we grow older—it remains stable. Though we often think that people get crabby as they age, this is simply not true. The crabby remain crabby, and sweet people remain sweet.

Also, surprisingly, mental capacity for the most part remains stable. Vocabulary continues to grow, and reasoning and problem solving are retained. Though there is some decline in memory, impairment is not the rule.

In general, healthy hearts remain healthy in people who have a normal heart profile and reasonable lifestyle. This means that you can enjoy moderately vigorous activity well into your eighties.

But our bodies do wear out with time—Here’s why
Our biological systems do wear out with age, and there are several theories as to why this happens. The most widely accepted theory—and certainly the one most talked about—centers around free radicals. When your body burns food for energy, like many energy-producing systems, it also produces byproducts. Your car’s engine produces heat and exhaust; your body produces heat and free radicals.

Free radicals are highly reactive oxygen atoms that are a normal byproduct of cellular metabolism. And like car exhaust, they also have a dark side. Free radicals damage cellular membranes and organelles, and decrease function and intracellular communication. Your body has its own intricate antioxidant system, involving thousands of different mechanisms, for protection against free radicals. But with time, free radicals and the damage they cause can lead to age-related health problems.

Another widely accepted theory is centered around DHEA—a vital hormone secreted by the adrenal gland that declines markedly as you get older. By age 70, your DHEA levels will probably be less than 20% of what they were at their peak in your teens and 20s.

You need adequate levels of DHEA for healthier stress management, memory and other mental activities, muscle mass, immune system function, and more. That’s why Dr. Whitaker recommends it to some 80% of his patients over 40. 

Everyone wants to age with grace and good health. However, life isn’t always fair, and some people simply age with less mobility, less energy, and a cloudier mind. But whether you’re concerned about decreased mobility, mental fog, or your overall well-being, there are solutions to help protect you against age-related decline.

The Solution
What would you give to keep you mind sharp, your heart strong, or your energy level up as you age? Probably a lot—after all, these are all vital to your independence.

The closest thing to turning back the clock
Arm yourself with four powerful daily weapons to combat the free-radical damage that helps promote aging, and you’re as close as you can get to turning back the clock.

• DHEA—protects against age-related decline, including memory loss, joint discomfort, and fatigue. It provides powerful nutrients to help you age more gracefully, by increasing energy, maintaining memory, and supporting joint health. (For more information on DHEA click here.)
• Ginkgo Biloba—boosts nutrient and blood flow to the brain for enhanced alertness and mental clarity. Ginkgo Biloba is a well researched everyday herb that helps keeps your mind clear and sharp.
  
• Milk Thistle Liver Cleanse—renews and strengthens the liver, your body’s main detoxifying organ.

Anti-Aging Longevity Tips
Health & Healing readers share their tips on staying young.