While many people know that staying properly hydrated can help with aging, a new study is now showing just how vital it can also be for preventing chronic health conditions as we age. The study published in eBioMedicine suggests that adults who stay well hydrated appear to be healthier and develop fewer chronic conditions such as lung disease and heart disease.
The study analyzed health data from 11,255 adults over 30 years, focusing on links between serum sodium levels. These levels typically go up when fluid intake goes down, along with various indicators of health. All participants were required to attend five medical visits – the first two when they were in their 50s and the last between the ages of 70 – 90. All adults with high levels of serum sodium at baseline were excluded, along with those with underlying conditions that could affect serum sodium levels, such as obesity.
Researchers then evaluated how serum sodium levels correlated with biological aging, which was assessed by 15 health markers. These included systolic blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol. This gave researchers insight into how each person’s cardiovascular, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and immune systems were functioning. Factors such as age, race, sex, hypertension, and smoking status were also adjusted for.
It was found that participants with higher levels of serum sodium were more likely to show signs of biological aging. Higher levels were also associated with an increased risk of premature death compared to those with lower serum sodium levels.
Researchers also found that participants with higher serum sodium levels had up to a 64% increased risk of developing chronic diseases like stroke, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, peripheral artery disease, diabetes, lung disease, and dementia. Those with the lowest levels of serum sodium had the lowest risk of developing chronic disease.
“People whose serum sodium is 142 mEq/L or higher would benefit from evaluating their fluid intake,” said study author Natalia Dmitrieva, Ph.D. She suggested that most people can meet their fluid intake levels with water and other fluids such as juices, vegetables, or fruits with high water content.
The National Academies of Medicine suggests that most women consume around 6-9 cups (1.5-2.2 liters) of fluids daily, and for men, 8-12 cups (2-3 liters).
Anti-Aging
Along with getting proper hydration, getting the right vitamins and nutrients is also vital for healthy aging.
To help ensure your diet is complete, 65+ Superfood Essentials is an excellent addition to a daily supplement regime. This breakthrough formula is a great way to support and promote cardiovascular and overall health. It contains Capros®, a patented and clinically studied Indian gooseberry extract that has been found to absorb free radicals and provide cascading antioxidants. Acai berry (the powerful natural antioxidant known to support total health) and resveratrol, a premier anti-aging ingredient, are also found in this formulation that can help ensure proper nutrients and vitamins that are essential as you age.
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With aging, the body’s natural production of glutathione can diminish, so supplementation is a great way to help address this concern. Youth in a Bottle also contains ingredients such as vitamin C, N-acetyl-cysteine, selenium, and alpha-lipoic acid, which can help to fight free radicals and help with general health and the aging process.