WAYNESBORO – Dr. Michael Day, who specializes in a practice he calls longevity medicine, presented a program on “The Longevity Portfolio: Investing in a proactive approach for future performance of the mind, body, and spirit”
to Waynesboro Rotarians last week.
Dr. Day said our medical system is good in complex situations, detailing how medical intervention had helped ensure the survival of one of his twin daughters, who was only two pounds at birth.
But the system is not as good at “moving the needle on prevention” and helping us to live longer and healthier lives, he said. This realization inspired him to change his practice from sports medicine to longevity medicine.
Dr. Day listed 10 keys that taken together help lead to a longer, more active life:
1. VO2 count, which measures the ability of the body to use oxygen when exercising. This decreases with age, but can improve with training. (This is a measured program, typically done in a medical lab.)
2. Grip strength, which has been linked to lower morbidity rate.
3. The “fitness triangle” of motor skills, mobility and muscle mass, which can be improved by cardiovascular exercise.
4. Recovery, which involves adequate sleep and stress management.
5. Glucose measurement.
6. Linking biomarkers to intervention. Action without data is useless, but action without data leads to uncertain results.
7. Mastering cognitive longevity. Doing something such as learning an instrument, playing chess or taking up a new sport to stimulate your thinking.
8. Incorporating sports and game activities to improve resilience and physical strength.
9. Cultivating a social portfolio. Enjoying friends and social activities. Loneliness leads to a higher morbidity rate than smoking, according to Dr. Day.
10. Optimizing your sleep habits to get the greatest benefit.
