How to stay healthy while aging?

BACKGROUND

Aging is characterized by a gradual loss of normal physiological function, culminating in frailty and increased susceptibility to diseases. One plausible candidate for this is the decrease in oxygen supply that occurs with aging.

AIMS/

OBJECTIVES

The purpose is to compile a literature review to provide well-founded guidelines for healthy aging.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Based on published literature, the significance of changes in oxygen supply and autonomic regulation in aging is analyzed.

RESULTS

Both oxygen uptake and its delivery to organs decline with age. This induces low-level hypoxia and further oxidative stress (OS) that is thought to cause aging-related disease conditions. Therefore, aging and hypoxia are connected. Hypoxia-induced OS also leads to imbalance of the autonomous nervous system (ANS) that is involved in more than 85% of chronic illnesses. Therefore, targeting hypoxia, OS and ANS imbalance is likely an effective treatment strategy for most age-related neurodegenerative and other diseases. This is best done with a hybrid strategy consisting of hyperbaric air or oxygen and non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation for reversing sympathoexcitation and stress.

CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: In all, two strategies to slow down age-related dysfunctions and diseases are to correct hypoxia and to reduce stress.