Our bodies are complex, and sometimes it can be hard to cut through all the scientific/medical jargon to truly understand what is going on. So, get ready for the simplest, most non-jargony explanation of aging you’re ever going to see:
Dr. Sears has what he calls his “sticky stuff/garbage disposal” theory of aging. Aging has two main causes: too much sticky stuff (garbage) accumulates in the body, and the body’s garbage disposal system weakens (immune system) so it can’t get rid of the sticky stuff. Health, therefore, is simply keeping the sticky stuff out of your body and strengthening your garbage disposal system.
The longer we live, the more garbage gets into our bodies through the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the stress we store. As we age, our body’s garbage disposal system (immune system) weakens. The garbage that accumulates in our bodies causes the sticky stuff to build up in our tissues. People who maintain their garbage disposal systems and put less garbage in their bodies age better than those who do not.
Three Types of Garbage:
Oxidation: The first type of “garbage” is Oxidation. Our bodies are oxygen-burning machines. Every minute, millions of biochemical reactions throughout the body generate exhaust called oxidants, or free radicals. An easy way to think of oxidation is to think of “rust.” Trillions of times a day, this “rust” or free radicals attack our cells and tissues like little hammers.
Inflammation: The second type of “garbage” is inflammation. Inflammation literally means the body is on fire. Inflammation is the process which results from chemical messengers repairing wear & tear in the body. When the body is healthy its repair system is able to handle all of the wear & tear. Just as a well-maintained road stays smooth because the wear and tear is fixed as it occurs, a body stays healthier longer if repairs are done on a regular basis. But when the wear and tear overcomes the body’s ability to repair the damage, excess inflammation occurs. This excess inflammation is the primary cause of unhealthy aging.
Glycation: As we get older, our cells become less sensitive to insulin, this is called insulin resistance, which leaves a higher level of glucose in the bloodstream. This excess sugar in your blood attaches to proteins, changing their structure and making them stiff and sticky. These are called aging proteins, the medical term we use is “AGEs” which stands for Advanced Glycation End products. AGEs become a sludge in the tissues of your body preventing healthy growth and repair of new tissues. Common places for glycation to occur is in the linings of the arteries – causing heart disease and in the collagen in the skin – which causes wrinkles.
To learn more about "sticky stuff" and how to keep your body running smoothly schedule a Prime Time workshop with your friends or group or email me at lisa@yieldingaction.com.
Copyright: Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
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Lisa is an Independent Shaklee Distributor and received her Health Coach Certification from the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute, founded by world-renowned physician and author, Dr. William Sears. The Institute is a leader in science-based health and wellness education that focuses on the four pillars of health; Lifestyle, Exercise, Attitude and Nutrition (L.E.A.N.). A certification by the Dr. Sears Wellness Institute is obtained only after completing the extensive course work and meeting all requirements. Once certified, a Health Coach possesses the knowledge, tools and resources to make a positive difference in the health of others.
The information in this blog is educational and not meant to diagnose, treat, or mitigate symptoms.
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