The Science to Ageing Well
What is ageing?
Dr Kate Gregorevic explains that ageing is a combination several biological changes. These include changes in our DNA expression, mitochondrial damage resulting in reactive oxygen species which are harmful to cells in the body and cell senescence, a process where cells are no longer able to replicate.
Ageing is a natural by product of living.
Can you reduce the effects of ageing?
In short, yes. There are five areas of health you can focus on to improve the ageing process to stay healthier, stronger and mentally sharp for longer:
1. Exercise
Working to maintain muscle mass and bone density can help you to age well. Regular exercise, in particular strength training, is very important to maintain a healthy body.
2. Nutrition
Eating a variety of whole foods, including plenty of vegetables and fruit, and reducing processed foods will contribute to providing the nutrients your body needs to stay strong and healthy.
3. Sleep
You may have heard that you need less sleep as you get older — this simply isn’t true. All adults need around 7-9 hours of sleep each night for optimal mental and physical health. During sleep, many important processes occur in the brain and to recover from the stress and exertion of the day. It’s thought that prioritising sleep can help to reduce the likelihood of dementia or heart disease.
4. Social and emotional health
Loneliness can activate the fight-or-flight systems and contribute to chronically elevated cortisol levels. This can adversely impact our health over time. Staying connected and prioritising meaningful conversations is one way to stay mentally and physically well.
5. Meaning and purpose
During life’s transitions, our meaning and purpose can change. Finding ways to contribute, to make a positive difference in the world and to the people around you, can help to catalyse a string of positive changes in your wellbeing routine.
Learn more about healthy living to age well in this on-demand webinar
In this webinar you’ll learn more from Dr Kate Gregorovic about:
- How exercise helps to prevent cognitive decline
- How to eat to maintain your health as you get older
- What you can do to enjoy your life to the fullest at every stage.
About Dr Kate Gregorovic
(BSc MBBS(Hons) FRACP PhD)
Dr Kate Gregorevic is a geriatrician and internal medicine physician. She works in both acute hospital medicine and community settings. She has also completed a PhD looking at the impact of positive psychosocial factors in the development of frailty in older adults. She has published multiple studies in this area.
Lifestyle medicine is a core feature of Kate’s clinical practice, and nutrition, exercise and sleep are integral to developing plans to optimise her patients’ health. Her approach goes beyond physical, to working with people to identify their own priorities and values and always centering these in any management plans.
Kate feels that it is incredibly important to provide accurate lifestyle strategies for health to as many people as possible, and so Kate has published extensively, including The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, News.com, WHIMN and Mamamia. She has been heard on ABC breakfast radio and 3AW.
In 2020 Kate published her first book titled “Staying Alive” that explores the science of living healthier, happier, and longer. She also launched Project Three Six Twelve, a provider of at-home exercise & well-being programs, designed to give women over 40 the tools they need to improve strength and vitality for long term sustainable health.
Kate lives in Melbourne with her husband and three children.
Keen to learn more about how exercise affects your overall wellbeing? Our at-home blood sample reveals where you should focus next to improve your health. Join the waitlist to be the first to know about our February 2023 release!
