People may have reached their maximum life expectancy, according to a recent Harvard study – but that probably won’t stop them from trying to extend their lives.
A recent survey found that 81% of respondents reported that they were “somewhat or very willing” to spend money to live longer – although many weren’t sure where to start.
Dr. Sajad Zalzala, founder and chief medical officer of AgelessRx in Detroit, Michigan, is committed to helping people not only live longer, but also live healthier lives.
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As a physician with a background in functional medicine, Zalzala worked to find and treat the causes of symptoms and illness – which led him to the field of longevity.
In 2019, he launched AgelessRx to try to “solve the aging puzzle.”
Dr. Sajad Zalzala, founder and chief medical officer of AgelessRx in Detroit, Michigan, shares his secrets to a long, healthy life. (Dr. Sajad Zalzala / AgelessRX)
Zalzala spoke on camera with Fox News Digital about the signs of aging and what she sees as the most important parts of a long, healthy life.
Signs of aging
Although the aging process can look different for different people, researchers have discovered “common patterns” of cellular and cellular aging, Zalzala shared with Fox News Digital.
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1. Genomic instability: This happens when damaged DNA leads to diseases like cancer and weakens the body’s ability to heal, according to the doctor.
2. Telomere attrition: Short telomeres (the DNA sequences at the ends of chromosomes) are what cause visible signs of aging like wrinkles and slow cell renewal.
3. Epigenetic Modification: This is when environmental factors change gene function, accelerating skin aging and metabolic problems, Zalzala said.
4. Loss of proteostasis: “Unfolded proteins contribute to age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s,” said the doctor.
5. Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Decreased energy production leads to fatigue and muscle weakness, according to Zalzala.
6. Aborted element hearing: “Inefficiency in regulating metabolism and controlling energy production is the reason why we age,” said the doctor.
7. Mobile: In this condition, cells stop dividing, which causes signs of aging such as thin skin and age spots.
8. End of stem cell: “Fewer stem cells lead to graying and slower tissue repair,” Zalzala noted.
9. Altered intercellular communication: Poor cell communication weakens tissue health and immune responses, according to the doctor.
10. Impaired macroautophagy: This is a decrease in the process that provides metabolites and energy to cells, according to ScienceDirect.
11. Chronic inflammation: As people age, increased inflammation is directly linked to the development of many diseases and the effects of aging, experts agree.
12. Dysbiosis: This condition causes an imbalance of micro-organisms in the body, which can have a negative impact on health, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Many signs of aging can be addressed by changing behavior, says the doctor. (Stock)
Many of these symptoms can be resolved by changing behavior, Zalzala said.
“There are many things that can benefit from a lifestyle,” he said. “For example, eating highly processed foods, not exercising and being sedentary promotes inflammation, and that speeds up the aging process.”
5 cornerstones of health
The doctor shares some of his habits in the five “buckets” of healthy living.
1. Eating right
Zalzala follows a “Paleo-like” diet, which consists mainly of whole foods such as vegetables, low-glycemic fruits and lean proteins.
“I don’t associate myself with overly processed foods, excessive sweets and foods with a lot of starch or regular sugar,” he said.
“Eating highly processed foods, not exercising and being sedentary promotes inflammation and accelerates the aging process.”
There is a lot of debate about whether whole grains are healthy, Zalzala notes. He tends to avoid himself.
“From a pure health standpoint, I don’t think there’s much nutrition in them,” he said.
When it comes to fruits, not all are created equal, according to Zalzala.
Zalzala follows a “Paleo-like” diet, which consists mainly of whole foods such as vegetables, low-glycemic fruits and lean proteins. (Stock)
“Bananas and grapes are high glycemic foods – you want to stick to low glycemic fruits like berries and cherries.”
The doctor also does not drink alcohol.
“Alcohol is not good for health in the long term, and I would recommend that it be reduced,” he said. “More research seems to show that there really isn’t a good level of alcohol consumption.”
2. Stay active
Although Zalzala said she is “not an exerciser,” she recognizes the importance of exercise to slow down aging.
He uses a walk-in desk in his office for a few hours a day, and takes martial arts classes with his teenage son.
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The doctor also spends 20 to 30 minutes a day doing a combination of exercises, including riding a stationary bike, using a rowing machine and lifting free weights.
“I try to get in a little cardio and a little bit of resistance training each day,” Zalzala said.
3. Choosing the right medicine
Although Zalzala says he is “very comfortable” with medications, they should be administered carefully based on an individual’s health goals.
Another drug he takes regularly is metformin, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.
Although the aging process can look different for different people, researchers have found “common denominators” of cellular and cellular aging. (Stock)
Other studies have shown that metformin can help promote longer life and better health outcomes, the doctor said.
“I started taking self-defense more seriously, as I was always struggling with my weight,” said Zalzala.
The doctor also recently started taking rapamycin, an immunosuppressive drug that has been touted for its longevity-promoting properties.
“Having some way to measure and monitor sleep is very important.”
Zalzala also sometimes takes acarbose, an antidiabetic drug that helps control blood sugar.
“When I eat starches and carbs, I try to take acarbose to reduce some of the blood sugar spikes that might occur – and it helps improve the microbiome,” he said.
Although Zalzala says he is “very comfortable” with medications, they should be administered carefully based on an individual’s health goals. (Stock)
Recently, Zalzala started taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) to help keep her cholesterol at a healthy level.
“I have a family history of heart disease, and I haven’t been able to lower my LDL cholesterol through diet and exercise,” he said.
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The doctor occasionally takes NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), which is a coenzyme that helps regulate the body.
“Aging or certain disease states can deplete the body of NAD+, so I take it here and there when I feel tired and need a boost of energy,” he said.
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“There’s been more and more data showing that maintaining youthful energy levels can help with all kinds of things, so I consider it a necessity for mitochondrial support and general longevity.”
4. Life supplement
Zalzala has always been a proponent of health promotion supplements.
“Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different ingredients – I always like to try things on myself, see how I feel, see how the tick goes.”
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Vitamin D is among the most important nutrients, he said.
Research has shown that vitamin D supplements can help improve bone health, brain health and physical function, among other benefits.
Research has shown that vitamin D supplements can help improve bone health, brain health and physical function. (Stock)
DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone produced by the adrenal gland, is one of his top choices. Some studies have shown that DHEA helps reduce belly fat, improve insulin resistance and reduce inflammation in the arteries.
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The doctor is also taking Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant supplement, to counteract the possible decrease in his heart medication.
“If you can’t sleep well, very few things are important, because they will throw off your body and all your hormones,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. (Stock)
“As long as a person doesn’t have major illnesses, I think most supplements are harmless and can be beneficial if taken wisely,” he said.
It’s important to talk to a doctor before starting a new medication, supplement or exercise program, the doctor stressed.
5. Improving sleep hygiene
One of the most important and neglected aspects of health, according to Zalzala, is sleep.
“If you can’t sleep well, very few things are important, because they will throw off your body and all your hormones,” he told Fox News Digital.
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“So having some way to measure and monitor sleep is very important.”
If someone has insomnia or other sleep problems, it’s important to talk to a doctor about ways to improve sleep, the doctor advises.
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