The term “aging” may seem reserved by the cosmetics and geriatric care industries. However, now it is a mainstream headline and an increasingly robust field of study in medicine. Commonly associated with the concept of longevity, aging science explores the process by which the body changes over time, along with factors that can affect the progression of age-related health conditions. The influx of research and attention has brought two separate but related distinctions of aging: chronological age and biological age. While chronological aging is inevitable (yes, we all still turn one year older each year), biological aging can be managed, especially through advances in the field of functional medicine.
Chronological age, simply put, is the number of years the body has been alive. It is static and linear in nature. “Biological age,” however, refers to the condition of the body based on various biomarkers that can provide a more accurate representation of health and aging status. Biological age takes a deeper look at the health of the body given the time it has been alive, assessing the wear and tear on cells, tissues, and organs. These factors are largely influenced by genetics, lifestyle choices, and environmental exposures.
Your biological age can be younger, older, or the same as your chronological age. There are various methods to measure biological age, including analyzing telomere length (the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes), DNA methylation, hormone levels, and inflammatory markers. A younger biological age is typically a sign of better health, vitality, and a reduced risk of age-related diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cognitive decline.
Functional medicine is an approach to care that is personalized, patient-centered, and science-based. It seeks to identify and address the root causes of health issues instead of masking them with prescription medications. Root causes of illness, especially age-related illness, typically stem from the decline of cellular function, making functional medicine primed to support healthy aging down to the cellular level. Several key concepts in functional medicine, such as hormone balancing, peptide therapy, advanced supplementation, lifestyle changes, and protocols that support cognitive function like Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy and Ozone Therapy, may help prevent progressive biological aging and the conditions that come with it.
The Role of Hormones in Aging
Hormones are chemical messengers that regulate nearly every function in the body, including growth, metabolism, immune response, and sexual function. As we age, hormone levels tend to decline, leading to symptoms like reduced energy, decreased muscle mass, fat gain, loss of libido, and cognitive decline. Decreases in hormone production can be a significant factor in aging. For example, sex hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone decline with age, leading to menopause in women and andropause in men. Growth hormone, thyroid hormones, and adrenal hormones also change over time. These hormonal shifts contribute to many of the changes we associate with aging.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) is a therapeutic intervention where hormones are supplemented to balance and restore optimal levels in the body, which may help slow down or reverse the progression of biological aging. In specific, Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) is a method of HRT using hormones that are chemically identical to the hormones your body naturally produces, unlike synthetic hormones. BHRT is used to replace declining levels of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, which can improve energy, mood, muscle mass, and sexual health. Some studies have shown that BHRT can reduce symptoms associated with menopause and andropause, including hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, and loss of libido. Beyond symptom relief, the restoration of hormone balance may contribute to improved skin elasticity, cardiovascular health, and brain function, all key factors that contribute to healthy aging.
For men, testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) can help restore optimal levels of testosterone in the body. This can have several anti-aging benefits, such as increased muscle strength, improved sexual function, and better mental clarity. Some research suggests that TRT may also lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving cholesterol levels and reducing inflammation. Thyroid hormones also play a key role in regulating metabolism, maintaining energy levels, managing body weight, and supporting overall health. As we age, thyroid function often declines, leading to symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, and cognitive impairment. Optimizing thyroid hormone levels can help maintain metabolic health, energy, and cognitive function as well.
Recent advancements in HRT and accurate testing to support individualization in dosing can ensure individuals receive the precise amount of hormone they need for optimal function. Nevertheless, when considering any form of HRT, it is essential for individuals to work with a qualified and experienced healthcare provider to ensure personalized care, as improper use can have side effects.
Peptide Therapy & Advanced Supplementation
Peptides are short chains of amino acids that can target specific processes in the body like collagen production, immune function, and muscle growth. Peptide therapy can play a significant role in supporting healthy aging by promoting cellular repair, enhancing tissue regeneration, and optimizing hormonal balance. For example, growth hormone-releasing peptides can stimulate the body’s natural production of growth hormone, which tends to decline with age. This can help support improved metabolism, increased lean muscle mass, and better skin elasticity.
Advanced supplementation can also support healthy aging by providing the body with essential nutrients that may become deficient with age. Personalized protocols of supplements like omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, CoQ10, and certain antioxidants can help maintain cardiovascular health, brain function, and energy production. For instance, omega-3s reduce inflammation and support heart and brain health, while CoQ10 enhances mitochondrial energy production, which can decline with age. Targeted supplements like adaptogens and nootropics can also support stress resilience and cognitive function, helping individuals maintain vitality, cognitive sharpness, and overall well-being.
New Frontiers of Science that Support Healthy Aging
New areas of innovation have begun to redefine how we approach aging. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), for example, is an advanced protocol originally developed to treat decompression sickness that can also support healthy aging by enhancing cellular repair, reducing inflammation, and promoting optimal oxygen utilization at the cellular level. HBOT involves breathing pure oxygen in a pressurized chamber, which increases oxygen availability to tissues, promoting the regeneration of damaged cells and boosting mitochondrial function. Mitochondrial function is essential for energy production and cellular health and can help reduce inflammation by enhancing the body’s natural healing processes. Over time, HBOT can improve circulation, support cognitive function, and delay the onset of age-related degeneration by optimizing the body’s oxygenation and repair mechanisms.
Extracorporeal blood oxygenation and ozonation (EBO2) therapy is another advanced technique that can support healthy aging by improving blood circulation, enhancing immune function, and detoxifying the body at the cellular level. This process involves filtering and cleansing the blood outside of the body, which promotes oxygen delivery to tissues and increases and reduces oxidative stress. By removing free radicals and toxins from the bloodstream, EBO2 therapy helps reduce inflammation, supports tissue repair, and strengthens the immune system.
Lastly, research around stem cell-based therapies offers promising developments in personalized aging support. Stem cells can aid in regenerating damaged tissues in joints and promote hormone production from within the body, which could potentially provide more sustainable and long-term anti-aging benefits than standard methods.
While we all understand chronological age as a predetermined value, it does not always provide an assessment of the rate at which the health implications of aging progresses over time. Biological age, on the other hand, is a more accurate indicator of health because it considers certain biomarkers that signal a healthy versus degenerative aging trajectory. Supporting healthy aging comes primarily from healthy, consistent lifestyle behaviors but can be further supported by advancements in functional medicine. Hormone balancing, peptides, advanced supplementation, and state-of-the-art protocols can address aging at the cellular level and offer personalized and effective strategies to help individuals slow down the biological aging process, prevent disease, maintain vitality as they age.