Myth #1: Your genes predetermine how healthy you are
Why it's not true:
Although the gene sequence you were born with is fixed,
gene expression depends on how you live your life. Simply put: We are
beginning to learn that your thoughts, emotions, levels of stress,
sleep, exercise, breathing, and mind-body coordination can affect your
gene expression. This means that you can turn on or dial up the good
genes and turn off or dial down the bad genes. The idea that we can
influence our genes is the new science of epigenetics,
and something I am currently researching. What we may find with
epigenetics is that we each have much more control over the cellular
biology of aging.
Myth #2: Getting older means feeling older
Why it's not true:
We each have a chronological age and a biological age. Your chronological age is the age on your birth certificate and answers the question, "How many times have you, in this body, revolved around the sun?"
Your biological age basically reflects how well your body is functioning.
Biological age is based on everything from your blood pressure and body
fat, to your bone density and cholesterol levels. It is determined by
several factors and does not have to match your chronological age.
How
you perceive the process of aging, your expectations and beliefs; how
you experience time and how energetic you feel actually determines the
biology of aging. Think about it this way: A 50-year-old who takes good
care of herself can have the biology of a 35-year-old. Alternatively, a
50-year-old who has let himself go may have the biology of someone many
years older. You can be much younger biologically than what your birth
certificate says.
Myth #4: Your brain is destined to deteriorate over time
Why it's not true:
If
you think you lose brain cells as you get older, and those cells are
gone forever, think again. Research shows that some areas of the brain
involved with memory and learning continue to produce new nerve cells
every day. So while you do lose brain cells every day, you also are
constantly replacing brain cells. The best thing you can do to build new
brain cells is to keep your brain active with new activities and
learning. And one of the best things you can do for your brain later in
life, research shows, is learn a new language. (Though learning anything
new is good for your brain.)
One more thing about your brain: Only 3 to 4% of
disease-related gene mutations, including mutations for Alzheimer's
disease, are genetically determined. Most disease-related gene
mutations are influenced by lifestyle including emotions, quality of
sleep, diet, and stress levels. You don’t have to get Alzheimer’s
disease or lose mental alertness as you grow old, unless you have a rare
gene mutation.
Myth #5: Your energy decreases as you get older
Why it's not true:
Energy
levels in the body don’t depend on age—they depend on your attitude and
are influenced by the quality of your life. Meditation, restful sleep,
and exercise are the best ways to experience a joyful and energetic
body.
Deepak Chopra, M.D.