Aradi Orozco

Discover the power of opti-ageing—healthy habits that support graceful ageing through nutrition, exercise, supplements, and stress management.

This blog post introduces opti-ageing, a modern and empowering approach to ageing that focuses on vitality, rather than fear of decline. Unlike the outdated “anti-ageing” mindset, opti-ageing embraces natural biological changes with practical strategies like nutrient-dense eating, regular movement, targeted supplementation, and emotional balance. Learn how everyday habits—especially stress reduction and community connection—can slow degeneration and enhance quality of life at any stage.

Welcome to this course!

We’re diving into a modern topic that’s reshaping how we perceive ageing.

We’ve all encountered the term “anti-ageing”—whether it’s in face creams, collagen advertisements, or magazine articles about anti-ageing foods.

Isn’t it exhausting? It seems as though ageing is something to dread.

Ageing isn’t a punishment; it’s the most natural thing there is—it begins the moment you’re born. In recent years, a wonderful term has emerged: “opti-ageing.” It’s about ageing well, enjoying life with fullness and health.

During the ageing process, several degenerative changes occur: in the immune system, the microbiota, and hormones. Metabolism slows down, and appetite often diminishes in advanced age. This, combined with sarcopenia (the loss of muscle mass surrounding the skeleton), makes us more prone to falls. Additionally, nutrient absorption becomes more challenging.

The decline in neurotransmitter production, coupled with systemic low-grade inflammation, creates the perfect storm for developing chronic degenerative diseases.

It’s estimated that 80% of those over 65 suffer from one of the most common conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, Alzheimer’s, among others.

So, what is opti-ageing?

It’s a set of habits that help you age with vitality. Diet, exercise, supplementation, and stress management are all essential for maintaining a good quality of life, regardless of age.

Chronic stress doesn’t just affect your mental well-being; it also causes metabolic damage. There’s even a type of stress linked to isolation. After the pandemic, many people shifted from working in offices to working from home. While remote work is more convenient and can be highly efficient when organised, isolation brings about its own form of stress. Dr Mark Hyman discusses this in his book Young Forever, referring to it as “chronic isolation stress,” which induces epigenetic changes that accelerate ageing.

In today’s world, it’s not easy for everyone to access organic food, exercise daily, balance work, family, stress, and life’s daily demands. However, change is possible.

Perhaps buying organic chicken and meat exceeds your budget, but you might find local producers who avoid growth hormones. Organic vegetables can be pricey, but there may be a market near you with agroecological growers.

Exercise should become as routine as brushing your teeth. There’s a wealth of online programmes at low cost if a gym membership is too expensive.

As for stress, sometimes turning off the news and avoiding your phone first thing in the morning can make a huge difference for your mental health.

In this course, you’ll learn how to optimise ageing. It may sound counterintuitive to optimise something that inherently involves a decline in well-being, but it’s entirely possible. It’s possible to age gracefully and enjoy life to the fullest.

Join us in the next session to discover the allies of positive ageing. We’ll see you there!

Sources:

Hyman, Mark. Young Forever. Ed. Little, Brown Spark. 2023