Age Management
Aging — it’s a natural part of life that none of us can avoid. Even as you read this, the clock is ticking. With each passing second, we all grow a little older, but that doesn’t mean that we have to look, feel, or even act older. Recent advancements in age management medicine now enable physicians to assist patients in managing the aging process more effectively. But what does this really mean?
When you think of aging, you probably think of the drooping skin or gray hairs you see in the mirror, but these aren’t the only things to consider. In fact, physical signs of aging are just one small piece of the puzzle. When exploring treatments, you’ll want to consult with a qualified age management physician to discuss what changes you’re experiencing and what you’d like to address.
At thriveMD, we focus on improving health through science-based age management medicine. Continue reading to learn more about what we do and what “age management” really means.
Understanding Age Measurement
Age isn’t just about the number of years you’ve lived; it’s about the condition of your mind and body. This distinction is made through various biomarkers that differentiate chronological age (years lived) from biological age (how well your mind and body function). As you’ve probably noticed, chronological age doesn’t always align with physical and mental well-being.
For example, a person whose chronological age is 60 may have the same physical and mental capacity as someone whose chronological age is 30. For this reason, we must evaluate specific biometrics and advanced age measurements to track a patient’s biological age.
The Importance of Biomarkers
A biomarker is a measurable indicator in the body that provides evidence about the health, longevity, and functional capacity of a bodily part or process. Some well-known biomarkers include metabolism and hormonal balance, but these are just the tip of the iceberg. While these biomarkers are a great starting point for researchers and physicians, in recent years many different tests have been developed for measuring biological age, such as:
- Oxidative Stress: When free radicals outnumber antioxidant defenses, the body experiences oxidative stress. Not only does this increase the risk of diseases like cancer, but it also increases common signs of aging like gray hair, wrinkles, and reduced energy levels. Measuring oxidative stress is one important way to determine biological age.
- GlycanAge: This measures the health of your IgG glycome which is proving to be one of the most accurate ways to measure biologic age.
- DNA Methylation: The transfer of methyl groups in DNA is another major biomarker used to determine biological aging. As you age, DNA methylation tends to decrease, so this biomarker often aligns more closely with chronological age. It is also the basis of the epigenetic clock, one of the most common ways of measuring biological age.
- Telomere Length: Telomeres are DNA sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes from degradation. As cells divide, telomeres become shorter. Measuring the length of telomeres provides insight into the biological age of cells. This test is falling out of fashion as better testing has become available
- Physical Capabilities: There are more common tests that can also determine your biological age using more rudimentary methods. For example, we can test the strength of your grip, your gait speed, and your balance when moving (just to name a few). These are reflections of your biological age and are often the result of changes at the cellular level.
- Cognitive Capacity: Cognitive tests can also help determine your biological age by examining your ability to solve problems, recall memories, and communicate. However, like physical capabilities, cognitive tests are not always perfectly accurate, as they could be affected by preexisting conditions that may unfairly skew the results.
At thriveMD, we continue to follow the most up to date literature on testing and utilize the most accurate validated current biomarkers for this purpose. Ultimately, we want to help improve health and longevity, and this process looks different for each person. As a result, we may focus on specific methods when devising an age management plan for each patient.
Age Management: Everything You Need To Know
The term “medicine” might imply that there’s a pill you can take to stop the aging process, but as you probably know, this is just not how it works. In modern healthcare, age management encompasses a wide range of science-based treatments designed to measure, monitor, and ultimately slow down your biological clock. Rather than treating illness, age management is all about proactively improving health.
There also may be different “big picture” goals when approaching advanced age management. For adults who “feel” older than they are, age management can help bring their biological clock into closer harmony with their chronological age. Alternatively, adults of all ages may want to adopt healthier lifestyles and try age management therapies to enhance their overall well-being.
And it’s not all about longevity (though this may be an important factor for many patients) — it’s also about living in good health for as long as possible. Age management aims to address age-related health concerns by keeping your mind and body at peak performance. In addition, by proactively testing for diseases like cancer and coronary artery disease, we aim to identify disease in its early stages when it’s still very treatable or curable.
Focusing on Healthy Living Through Age Management
The contemporary study of gerontology has helped doctors and researchers compile their findings on the biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging. Today, the focus has shifted away from remedial medicine to preventative measures aimed at reducing age-related decline. The ability to study cell development and even individual strands of DNA has also greatly expanded our understanding of the aging process and how it can be redirected using modern age management medicine.
Thanks to modern advances in longevity care, age management goes far beyond conventional care. It provides proactive methods to improve health. This requires extensive health, cognitive, and lifestyle evaluations, along with advanced diagnostics. With this data, age management doctors can customize transformative health programs and care plans to meet the needs of each patient.
Is Age Management Effective?
Yes, both early and advanced age management can be extremely effective. When a patient adheres to a longevity-focused care plan, they can greatly increase their quality of life. Much like adopting a new diet, the efficacy often comes down to the commitment to the end goal. Ultimately, adapting to an age management care plan, including taking supplements and medications, changing your eating habits, and getting regular tests and exams with your doctor, can allow you to live a happier and healthier life.
Most Common Types of Age Management Treatments
There are too many age management approaches to name here, and not all are well-suited for everyone. The best age management medicine or treatment plan will depend on your specific needs, biological age, and age-related goals. With that in mind, here are some common age management treatments you may encounter:
- Hormone Therapy: Hormone replacement therapy (estrogen, testosterone and many others) is a common treatment option, particularly for adults over the age of 50. This can help counteract declining hormone production that naturally occurs with age. Growth hormone therapy might also be used to rebuild muscle mass and improve bone density.
- Supplements: Supplements may also be beneficial to aid in age management.
- Lifestyle Changes: Once again, medical age management is only effective if the patient is willing to make changes and strive to enjoy life to the fullest. Some of the most common lifestyle changes recommended by our physicians include improved sleep habits, dietary changes, and adequate exercise.
- Regenerative Medicine: Stem cell and PRP therapy are two forms of regenerative medicine that can counter some of the cellular changes caused by aging. This can include replacing aging tissue, rebuilding bone marrow, and increasing blood platelets that accelerate tissue healing.
thriveMD: The Top Age Management Clinic In Colorado
Are you trying to find ways to maintain your current physical and mental state? Do you want to reduce signs of aging and enjoy the activities you love for as long as possible? Most importantly, do you want to live a healthier life? If so, thriveMD is the answer.
With clinics in Denver and Vail, we offer the latest practices and cutting-edge age management methodologies to measure biomarkers of aging, monitor your progress, and develop care plans to slow down your biological clock. This way, you can continue doing the things you love without letting “age” get in the way.
Are you ready to access age management and longevity medicine in Colorado? Reach out to us at our thriveMD Denver or Vail clinic to learn more about age management, or schedule an appointment today!
Meet Our Doctor, Dr. Scott Brandt
Dr. Scott Brandt completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Michigan and attended medical school at Wake Forest School of Medicine. He completed his anesthesiology residency and internship at the University of Illinois and Michael Reese Hospitals in Chicago with fellowship training in pain management and outpatient surgical anesthesia and is Board Certified in Anesthesia. He subsequently did subspecialty training in regenerative medicine and bioidentical hormone management, teaching other physicians in these topics both nationally and internationally. He has also has been involved in device development, with two patented clinical devices currently in use. His extensive knowledge in this broad scope of medicine and 15 years clinically focused on regenerative medicine and hormone management has continued to broaden his scope of care, Longevity medicine, with an emphasis on preventative testing and treatment have made him one of the top hormone concierge physicians in Colorado, providing the highest quality patient care.
As thriveMD’s Medical Director, Dr. Brandt has embraced bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) for disease prevention, health, and wellness. Trained by Dr. Neal Rouzier, a leading authority on BHRT, Dr. Brandt helps his patients achieve healthy aging and improved outcomes following stem cell treatments, surgical procedures, and often preventing the need for aggressive care with extensive preventative testing. His expertise in the field of BHRT and the many related fields of medicine that are intertwined with age management have made Dr. Brandt a well-rounded provider whose compassionate nature continues to mark thriveMD among the top Concierge Medical Clinics in the nation.