Three Hormones to Focus on for Longevity and Healthy Aging
There are three hormones in your body specifically important for healthy aging and longevity. Although for many it seems we shouldn’t focus on healthy aging when we are in our 20s and 30s . However, before you know it, the daily decisions that you are making matter and have a long-term impact on your health.
Many age-related conditions appear out of nowhere. They silently grow inside you before they are apparent and hard to ignore. That’s why regular check-ups and looking underneath the hood once in a while is important.
Which Hormones Matter?
Numerous hormones contribute significantly to the promotion of lifespan and healthy aging. Here are some of them>
Growth hormone (GH)
The pituitary gland produces GH, which is essential for growth and development as well as tissue repair and regeneration. Age-related declines in GH levels are linked to declines in bone density, cognitive function, and muscle mass. Strength training and intermittent fasting are two methods that may aid in raising GH levels.
Testosterone
It is a hormone that is created by the ovaries in women and the testes in men. It is essential for preserving bone density, muscle mass, and mental capacity. Age-related declines in testosterone levels are linked to a number of health problems, including decreased libido, bone density, and muscle mass. To keep testosterone levels in check, try stress-reduction techniques, strength training, and keeping a healthy weight.
This hormone is crucial for building muscles. When the level of testosterone is low it can be linked to age-related diseases. Older men with a low level of testosterone can have a high risk of death from heart disease. It’s important to stress there is a link between testosterone and age since every man loses anywhere between 1% and 2% of testosterone during his life span. If your testosterone level stays higher with age you are in theory younger compared to your peers.
Most of the research on testosterone has been done on men since women naturally have a lower level of testosterone. However, testosterone is important for both genders, especially in link with cortisol.
We need to find a way to keep the level of testosterone high as much as possible while keeping the level of cortisol low. In that case, you have better chances to build your muscles and stay healthy.
How to Have a Higher Level of Testosterone?
It seems like a logical question to ask, especially if you are a woman. How to have a higher level of testosterone without growing a moustache? Well, you can start with exercise and lifting weights, and eat more proteins, carbs, and fats. If you minimize stress and have a low level of cortisol, you will have a higher level of testosterone.
Estrogen
Women’s ovaries produce the majority of the hormone estrogen. It is essential for preserving bone density, mental acuity, and cardiovascular health. Age-related declines in estrogen levels are linked to a number of health problems, such as osteoporosis, cognitive decline, and cardiovascular disease. Healthy estrogen levels may be maintained through techniques including physical training, maintaining a healthy weight, and lowering stress.
IGF-1
It’s hormone that is created in response to GH, ans essential for encouraging growth and development as well as tissue repair and regeneration. Similar to GH, IGF-1 levels decrease with age, and this reduction is linked to decreased bone density, cognitive function, and muscle mass. IGF-1 levels may be raised using methods like strength training and intermittent fasting.
Melatonin
A hormone secreted by the pineal gland, melatonin is essential for controlling the sleep-wake cycle. Age-related declines in melatonin levels are linked to a variety of sleep-related problems, such as insomnia and sleep apnea. It may be possible to maintain healthy melatonin levels by using techniques like keeping a regular sleep pattern and limiting exposure to blue light at night.
Well, all hormones matter for healthy aging but here we are going to focus on the three most important hormones for longevity and a healthy lifestyle.
Cortisol
Many experts would agree that cortisol is one of the most important ones. It’s crucial for your health to keep the level of cortisol low. When your cortisol level is constantly high, it can have many causes namely inflammation, chronic stress, poor sleep, weight gain, and many other reasons. A high level of cortisol is an indicator that you are in a vicious cycle of issues and problems that are accumulating daily.
Cortisol can affect our muscle mass. An important part of healthy aging is keeping your muscles and bones strong. When the level of cortisol is high, it can have an impact on your muscles and bones as well as your overall health.
How to Lower the Level of Cortisol?
There are many ways of lowering the level of cortisol. You need to get enough sleep, exercise, learn to relax through methods that suit you from meditation to walking, and learn how to deal with stress. The most important thing is to have more fun in life, and less stress. You can also lower the level of cortisol by taking certain supplements such as fish oil but overall healthy lifestyle habits will take you to longevity, healthy aging, and low cortisol levels.
How to Have a Higher Level of Testosterone?
It seems like a logical question to ask, especially if you are a woman. How to have a higher level of testosterone without growing a moustache? Well, you can start with exercise and lifting weights, and eat more proteins, carbs, and fats. If you minimize stress and have a low level of cortisol, you will have a higher level of testosterone.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential for almost any function from regulating the production of thyroid hormones to helping the immune system and managing inflammation. When we talk about the immune system, some research has been done indicating that vitamin D can help manage the risks of COVID – 19. However, we need more research to find a clear connection.
How to Get More Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is so easy to take. Sometimes all you need is one supplement a day. Other things that can help include spending more time in the sun or consuming more seafood and fatty fish such as tuna, oysters, sardines, and mackerel. Your diet matters for vitamin D, so eat more eggs, mushrooms, and seafood. The majority of vitamin D supplements come from animal sources so if you are vegan opt for D2 supplements to get enough vitamin D.
There is much that can be done to keep healthy and to optimize your health over the years and keeping track of these hormones is a crucial part of it.