Healthy Agingbeginning of a conversation

with Dr. Simon C. Wong, DO

954-603-5508

9750 NW 33rd Street, Suite 210

Coral Springs, FL 33065

www.WellCareMedicalClinic.com

Wellcare Medical Clinic . . .

A Healthy Aging Practice for Your Overall Well

Being

We can't avoid the aging process.

But we can all age with an able and disease

free body.

Once we understand what to expect as we age, we can work with our bodies to age and engage in an

ongoing improving process to achieve the

goal.

What is considered

"normal" aging?

Cardiovascular System

Also known as the circulatory system (heart, arteries, veins

and capillaries)

As we age: Heart rate slows down Heart might become slightly

larger Blood vessels and arteries

become stiffer Heart has to work harder to pump

blood Could lead to high blood pressure

- (hypertension)

Bones, Joints and Muscles

As we age: Bones shrink in density and size Become more susceptible to

fractures By age 80, you could lose

up to 2 inches in height Muscles lose strength, flexibility Decrease in coordination, balance

Digestive System

As we age: Constipation is more common in older

adults Reasons include a low-fiber diet, not

drinking enough fluids and lack of exercise

Medications (diuretics, iron supplements) and some conditions (diabetes and irritable bowl syndrome) also might contribute

Bladder and Urinary Tract

As we age: Urinary incontinence (loss of

bladder control) becomes more common

Conditions such as diabetes, menopause, child birth and an enlarged prostate contribute to incontinence

As we age:

Memory

As we age: Memory becomes less efficient

with age Takes longer to learn new things

or remember familiar words or names

Eyes and Ears

As we age: More difficult to focus on objects that

are close up More sensitive to glare Clouded vision (cataracts) Hearing starts to dim Have difficulty hearing high

frequencies or following conversations in a crowded room

Teeth

As we age: Your gums may pull back from your

teeth Medications for allergies, asthma,

high blood pressure and cholesterol can cause dry mouth

Teeth and gums become more vulnerable to decay and infection

Skin

As we age: Skin thins, becomes less elastic and

more fragile Bruise more easily Skin becomes drier due to decreased

production of natural oils Wrinkles, age spots and small growths

(skin tags) are more common

Weight

As we age: Muscle mass decreases, body fat

takes its place You need fewer calories to

maintain your current weight

Knowing what to expect from your body means you are better

equipped to work with and improve upon your body as you

age.

What you can do - Cardiovascular System:

Exercise helps lower blood pressure, lessen stiffening of arteries

Healthy diet high in vegetables, fruits, fiber and lean protein keep arteries clear

Stop smoking! Smoking leads to the hardening of arteries, increases blood pressure and heart rate

Manage and reduce stress

What you can do - Bones, Joints and Muscles:

Get adequate amounts of calcium and vitamin D

Weight bearing exercise and strength training can help strengthen bones

Don’t smoke! And limit alcoholic drinks to two per day

What you can do - Digestive System:

Diet should include more high-fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, whole grains), less high-fat meats, dairy products and sweets

Drink plenty of water Exercise helps prevent constipation Don’t ignore the urge to have a bowel

movement

What you can do - Bladder and Urinary Tract:

Go to the bathroom regularly Maintain a healthy weight Don’t smoke! Kegel exercises

What you can do – Memory: Eat a healthy diet Exercise daily Stay mentally active (crossword

puzzles, learning new hobbies, etc.)

Be social; get together with friends and family

What you can do - Eyes and Ears: Schedule regular checkups with your

doctor Wear sunglasses and a wide-brimmed

hat when you’re outdoors Wear hearing aids and perform

corrective eye surgery as necessary Chinese word for being “SMART”

What you can do - Teeth: Brush and floss your teeth twice a

day Schedule regular checkups with

your dentist

What you can do - Skin: Use warm, not hot, water when

you bathe Use mild soap and a good

moisturizer When outdoors, use sunscreen and

wear protective clothing Don’t smoke!

What you can do - Weight: Eat a healthy diet Exercise regularly Watch your portion sizes, should

get smaller as you age

What else should we know and do besides exercise, diet, drink

plenty of water, no/quit smoking, using sun block, have my teeth and eyes checked and

fixed and maintain an active social life style?

Angiogenesis: Physiological process through which new 

blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels Natural process in the body used for healing

and reproduction “On" switches are known as angiogenesis-

stimulating growth (ASG) factors “Off switches" are known as angiogenesis

inhibitors (AI)

Angiogenesis: Excessive angiogenesis:

o cancer, obesity, diabetic blindness, age-related macular degeneration, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and more than 70 other conditions

Insufficient angiogenesis:o coronary artery disease, stroke, and

chronic wounds

Angiogenic Growth Factors: At least 20 different known AGFs 5 AGFs are being tested in humans for

growing new blood vessels to heal wounds and to restore blood flow to the heart, limbs, and brain.

Angiogenic gene therapy is also being developed as a method to deliver AGFs to the heart, limbs, and wounds.

Angiogenesis Inhibitors: More than 300 AIs have been

discovered. Some cancer patients have

experienced dramatic regression and stabilization of their tumors from anti-angiogenic therapy e.g. Kidney and Skin Cancers

But other anti-angiogenic therapy cancer treatments are disappointing. WHY?

How did cancer evolve? Cancer cells constantly develops in our body Fortunately majority of them are not growing

because it needs blood vessels to supply nutrients to grow it i.e. it needs to be free of “inhibitions” from AIs

Some of the AI drugs are not working because It is too late in the process for the AI drugs to be effective. i.e. we have to start the preventive process EARLY

Cancer Causes: Genetics: 5-10% Environment: 90-95%

o Infectious 15-20%oTobacco 25-30%oAlcohol 4-6%oObesity 10-20%oDiet 30-35%

Obesity: Angiogenesis promotes fat expansion

by supplying fat cells with oxygen and nutrients

Laboratory studies have shown that inhibiting angiogenesis in obese mice decreases their weight to normal levels

Obese individuals have increased levels of proangiogenic factors

Angiogenesis in the body is influenced by diet and lifestyle: Many foods contain naturally occurring

inhibitors of angiogenesis, it acts to boost the body’s existing system that suppresses undesirable angiogenesis that can promote or accompany disease

They are comparable even more potent and than some of the AI drugs available

Any medical evidence?

Eat to starve cancer and combat obesity?

Licopene (cooked tomatoes)o 2-3 serving of cooked tomatoes reduce

risk for prostate cancer by 40-50% Harvard School of Public Health

Resveratrol (red grapes)o Can repeatedly return obese mice to their

baseline weights by injection/withdrawal of Resveratrol

Ingredients for dinner tonight!Anti-Angiogenic Foods

Can I use the supplement forms of the AI food?

Yes, such as the red wine extract and resveratrol but please

discuss with your doctor first

Thank youHealthy Aging Lecture

Series

Questions?954-603-5508

9750 NW 33rd Street, Suite 210, Coral Springs, FL

33065

www.WellCareMedicalClinic.com