When we get old, many things in the body start to slow down or change. Chronologically this happens around the age of 50. This is only a number but it is recognised as the age where the systems in our body’s start to die off and shut down.
Today we will look at each of the systems in the body and how these changes effect one or more systems in our body.
Heart
At age 40, we lose about ten heartbeats per year. We can compare the heart to a car engine – as the engine gets older it becomes worn and fatigued. Our Maximum Heart Rate (MaxHR) slows down because the individual pacemaker cells that regulate pace and heart rate efficiency just cannot beat as fast as in prior younger years of age.
Our bodies run on electrical impulses and they do everything from generate heat to assist in the removal of waste . These electrical impulses or energy pathways become less efficient in generating the required energy to allow the body to operate well under stress. The arteries and valves require strong pathways for the blood to flow and over time these narrow, creating obstacles or blockages which reduce the effectiveness of the heart and other body systems.
We can slow this process by creating a healthy environment with simple changes to our diet by eating healthy foods, and doing plenty of exercise.
The heart is also responsible for pumping the blood around the body and this in turn effects the capacity of our lungs to generate oxygen
Lung capacity is our ability produce the fuel for the body to work efficiently. Oxygen is produced to give the blood and energy systems their ‘Fuel’ to maintain a healthy blood and oxygen exchange. Over time the tubes in the lungs narrow and break down creating an inability to have the blood and oxygen flow with not restrictions.
Smoking is the biggest cause of decreased lung capacity. Healthy living and breathing is another way to improve our quality of life.
Brain Power
In broader terms, this is the computer chip for the body. It also works on electrical impulses that communicate to the rest of the body and tell it what to do. Most research on neural patterns and diseases such as Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer disease looks at how the nerves have failed to communicate with the other systems of the body. We cannot stop the ageing process but we can slow it down.
Neural patterning or practice of everyday activities create memory recall and keeps the body trained to open up those pathways so they continue to operate. It’s like trying to cross a bridge when some of the road is missing. Systemising and simplifying our approach will allow the brain to learn. Rushing these moves is like building a house of bricks without the bricks having mortar to keep them together. USE IT or LOSE IT! Research is showing us that the longer we keep the brain stimulated, the more efficient it can be and we are able to have a greater capacity for memory retention and have faster reaction times. The brain needs variety and if we can ‘play’ or do things differently than the way we have always learnt it, the brain becomes stimulated. This creates more electrical impulses and the ability to process things outside of the mundane. We only need 10 minutes a day of play or variety to challenge our brains to do more than just process what it already knows.
Bones
Bones soften and lose their plyobility as we age. They become brittle and the growth plates at the end of the joints are not well lubricated and this starts the process of the cells dying off and not regenerating.This is called Sarcopenia which is the natural onset of loss of muscle mass due to ageing. This also results in the loss of strength. Calcium requires impact for the break down of the cells and rebuild layers of soft bone that becomes hard bone. As we age we don’t move as much and we lose our capacity to absorb shock or impact efficiently.
We try to take the easy way out by resting or doing no strength activities that require loading. For the muscles to remain strong and for the bones to support the muscular structure, strength training and load through the joints must be undertaken. Failure to do so means an increased risk of falling and injury. The mortality rate resulting from a broken hip for those over the age of 70 is above 80% within 12 months.
Hormones
This is an area that is extremely misunderstood and needs to be looked looked at in more detail.
Our body’s inner systems rely on us being able to produce the right amount of hormones to balance our entire body. If these are not right, we find that our body produces many more chemicals which can grow to different forms of cancer. If our hormones are not in balance, it creates mood swings, increases the release of the chemical cortisol which raises stress levels and inhibits the production of other hormones.
If our body produces too much of the chemical oestrogen, we inhibit our ability to lose weight. This also makes us feel tired, increases inflammation of the joints (arthritis)and places stress on the liver and kidneys. It also stops the body from generating any hormones to help growth within the body.
Water
Our body is made up of over 80% water. if we do not rehydrate, the cells become ‘sticky’ which means the body cannot create that electrical charge that is responsible for generating chemical reactions in the body that are responsible for generating growth of more cells. This slows the movement of the blood and oxygen inhibiting the body’s ability to get rid of waste products . If our cells are not hydrated we also unable to absorb force and feel movement. This creates lack of balance higher probability of falls and definitely issues for injuries.
SUMMARY
We cant stop the ageing process but we can slow it! Knowing our body, understanding what it needs and continuing with maintenance of movement will allow us to lead a more healthy and injury free life.
Do not ignore the warning signs! Everybody over fifty will slow down as the body decreases productivity. We can continue to ignore this or do something about it.
Eat the right things and exercise for life!
