Most living organisms follow a fundamental pattern of existence: grow to maturity, create offspring, and ensure the survival of the species. Over the life span, the physiologic functions that made the creature healthy, vibrant, and fit for reproduction to begin to decline as the organism passes the age of reproduction. Human beings are also part of this natural system, and, as with other living organisms, we are programmed for this cycle of growth and maturity; in our species this process takes about 40 years. Many factors contribute to the slow decline in physiology that starts with the end of our reproductive potential and culminates in our demise.
Yet, human beings are “thinking” animals, and because we possess intellect and self-awareness, we have the means to question and even challenge the inevitability of this slow decline to death. In previous eras of history, medicine has concentrated on understanding the mechanisms of disease in order to find a way to treat suffering patients. At one time, infection took the lives of many children before they had reached the age of maturity, and the ravages of illness rendered them unable to reproduce the species.
Within the last century, the practice of standard medicine established a strong track record in terms of treating diseases and improving general health conditions, but medical science did little to slow the decline of general health as individuals grew older. However, now it is time for a change in perspective about the role of medicine, from one of detection and treatment of disease to one of sustaining health throughout our lifetimes. The “slow decline of function” as we age is no longer an unavoidable outcome. By applying established methods and taking advantage of current and on-going research developments, medical professionals are changing the “aging process” into the “Anti-Aging Process!”
Postponing death by treating disease is no longer the single-minded purpose of medicine. Of course, no one desires to die, for we all cling clearly to life. But by the same token, no one wants to stay alive simply to suffer from declining health. Personally, I do not want to be bed-ridden, unable to take care of myself on a functional level; that might be a case of merely existing, but it is not really living. However, there is a way to be 80 years old in calendar years yet still lead a productive life and still feel as well and vigorous as a 40 year old. Although aging patterns reflect genetic characteristics to some degree, we now have proven and safe ways to halt the decline in health, and, in some cases, return to optimal function. This restoration of health is the goal of Anti-Aging Medicine.
The United States healthcare system may be second to none in terms of dealing with acute illness or emergency care, but we trail much of the world in treatment of chronic illness.
Fact: 80% of the money spent in our nation on “healthcare” is actually spent on the extraordinary methods employed during the last two or three years of patients’ lives (in essence, “deathcare”). In addition, 50% of the United States health care budget is spent on the treatment of degenerative disease of aging. One hundred million Americans are now being treated for one or more of the degenerative diseases of aging at a cost of $700 billion per year. To improve the failing health care infrastructure, we must focus on the degenerative diseases associated with aging.
If we can slow or reverse the aging process for Americans even slightly, we can reduce the health care expenditures for these disease. To state it clearly, rather than focus solely on finding a “cure” for cancer, why not explore ways to prevent it from occurring?
Anti-Aging Medicine requires a range of training and experience, as it incorporates the fields of biochemistry, biology, pharmacology, endocrinology and physiology, with contributions from mind/body medicine, sports medicine, molecular genetics, and emerging medical technologies. Anti-Aging Medicine utilizes proven methods and treatments (sometimes called “Evidence Based Medicine”) from these dynamic fields to produce sound health care.
It is an exciting time to practice medicine, for it is a time to redefine and expand the scope of our healing practices. The National Institute of Aging has officially recognized Anti-Aging Medicine as the leading frontier of health care; as research expands our knowledge on a continual basis, physicians specializing in the field are becoming more active advocates for their patients.