There are reasons why some people in their 80s look like they are only in their 60s, and why countless 50-year-olds don’t look a day over 30.

Is it because of hormones? Some inherited gene? Their lifestyle? Or an anti-aging pill?

While the questions seemingly outnumber the answers, today’s health and wellness landscape already holds the secrets to the fountain of youth.

As it is, the differences between the ages 40 and 70 don’t really matter because the number of birthdays one has (or one’s chronological age) is not as important as one’s biological age.

Biological age determines the wear and tear of the body, and how carefully one has been in taking care of his health.

When people are asked their age, the usual and typical answer is the chronological age.

Stop and think for a while. This is the pause that will blow your mind. You are young! This is because cells are replaced all the time.

Blood—Right now, your red blood cells are only 60 days old.

Cell life—All the cells in the body are in a continuous state of change. Cells are born, grow, die and are immediately replaced.

For example, the cells in the digestive tract are replaced every three to five days.

This principle applies to practically every cell in every major organ except the heart, brain and nervous system.

Fluids and protein in the body are constantly replaced.

The only challenging development is this: The new cells that will replace the old cells are not as effective as the original cells.

Negative changes

Because of exposure to free radicals, stress, ultraviolet radiation, pollution, chemicals, etc., the body’s ability to replace old cells is weakened.

Thus, the definition of aging is the buildup of negative changes in the cells and tissues of the body, leading to cellular malfunction which increases the risk of death.

If we focus on cell health to prolong life, would this lead to the road of seeming “agelessness?” The answer is a resounding yes.

In 1954, Denham Harman, M.D. Ph.D., in “Free Radical Theory of Aging” argued that free radical damage was the culprit behind aging in all living creatures.

This theory was expanded to include the life span of creatures like humans, which is influenced and limited by the aging of the mitochondrial organelles or energy producers within the cell.

Conclusion: Decrease the formation of free radicals to increase life expectancy.

The strategy: Fight free radicals

Action plan: Adopt a healthy lifestyle by embracing wellness.

Los Angeles-based Arnold Fox, M.D., doctor of internal medicine, cardiology and anti-aging, shares a simple plan of action.

1) Eat healthy. In his book “The Beverly Hills Medical Diet,” Fox recommended an eating plan that involves low amounts of fat, high complex carbohydrates and moderate protein intake.

2) Exercise. Light but regular workouts are better than heavy, strenuous exercise. This is because over-exercising increases free radical production through oxidation.

Light resistance training using weights and a 30-minute brisk walking program are enough.

3) Adopt the five virtues. Positivity and optimism have been proven to influence the mind’s ability to boost the immune system. It’s called Psychoneuroimmunology.

4) Take antioxidants. With the power to neutralize free radical damage (oxidation), think “ACES”—vitamin A through carotene, vitamin C, vitamin E and selenium.

Powerful antioxidants also include alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q-10, pycnogenol, green tea and ginkgo biloba.

5) Basic super hormones. Look into DHEA, growth hormone, pregnenolone, melatonin, estrogen, testosterone, thyroid hormones.

By increasing growth hormones, improvement is seen in the following areas: muscle mass, blood pressure, wound healing, memory, body fat and energy. Consult an endocrinologist.

This week’s affirmation: “The fountain of youth is inside me.”

Love and light!

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