Life Expectancy Keeps Growing, But What About Healthy Life Expectancy?

Let's look at what research says about the years we are expected to spend living free of disease and disability on average.

It's no secret that we're living longer.

Advancements in medicine, sanitation, and public health have pushed global life expectancy to record highs.

But a crucial question lingers: are these extra years spent in good health? This is where the concept of healthy life expectancy (HLE) comes in.

Life expectancy simply tells us the average number of years a newborn can expect to live. HLE, on the other hand, focuses on the number of years one can expect to live free from disability or chronic illness.

Here's the concerning part: the news is mixed.

While life expectancy has risen dramatically, HLE hasn't always kept pace. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that between 2000 and 2019, life expectancy increased by over six years. However, HLE only grew by about eight percent.

We Might Be Living Longer, But Not Necessarily Healthier Lives

Why the gap?

The decline in infectious diseases, a major contributor to earlier mortality, has played a significant role in extending lifespans.

However, this also means more people are surviving into old age, where chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes become more prevalent.

The culprit behind this growing burden might surprise you: our collective neglect of metabolic health.

Metabolic health refers to how our bodies process energy from food, particularly how we manage blood sugar levels.

Alarmingly, conditions like weight gain, prediabetes, and type 2 diabetes are on the rise, even among younger age groups.

The Numbers Paint A Concerning Picture

Let's look at some numbers: according to the International Diabetes Federation, in 2019, 463 million people globally were living with diabetes.

That number is projected to reach 700 million by 2045.

In the United States alone, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 8 in 10 adults have at least one risk factor for chronic disease, with prediabetes affecting a staggering 84.1 million people.

Unchecked metabolic issues, often stemming from unhealthy diets, lack of physical activity, and rising stress levels, are a ticking time bomb.

They contribute to the very chronic diseases that are eroding HLE. Uncontrolled blood sugar, for instance, can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body, increasing the risk of heart disease, stroke or kidney failure.

Another sign of the increase of metabolic issues is our hormonal landscape.

This is also shifting in concerning ways, particularly among younger demographics. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormonal imbalance affecting ovulation and menstruation, are on the rise.

Studies suggest a prevalence rate as high as 20-25% in women of reproductive age. This can have a significant impact on fertility and overall health, increasing the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and even some cancers.

Similarly, thyroid disorders, which can affect metabolism, energy levels, and mood, are becoming more common. Hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid produces too much hormone, is affecting younger adults at an increasing rate. This can lead to anxiety, weight loss, and heart palpitations. Conversely, hypothyroidism, where the thyroid doesn't produce enough hormone, can cause fatigue, weight gain, and depression. Both conditions can significantly impact quality of life.

The message is clear: our current lifestyle is taking a toll on our mitochondrial health, and the consequences are showing up not just in older populations, but also among younger generations. This further emphasizes the need for a proactive approach to health.

The Role Of Mitochondrial Health And Nutrition

So what can be done?

First, we need to understand how our body works:

Imagine tiny power plants within your cells, constantly converting food into energy.

These are mitochondria, the unsung heroes of cellular function.

When these powerhouses malfunction, it's called mitochondrial dysfunction. This dysfunction can disrupt hormone production and signaling in various ways.

The link is intricate. Some hormones, like sex steroids, are partially synthesized within mitochondria.

Mitochondrial dysfunction can impair the enzymes needed for this production. Additionally, hormones can influence mitochondrial function. Estrogen, for example, can help protect mitochondria from damage.

It's a delicate dance.

The food we eat plays a vital role in mitochondrial health.

A diet rich in antioxidants and essential nutrients like vitamins B complex, CoQ10, and magnesium can support healthy mitochondrial function.

Conversely, processed foods, excessive sugar, and carbohydrate intake, and unhealthy fats can contribute to mitochondrial stress and dysfunction. Here's how:

• Sugar/ carb overload: When we consume excessive amounts of sugar, especially refined sugars, and sugary drinks, blood sugar levels spike rapidly.

  The body releases insulin to counter this surge, but chronically high blood sugar levels (which most people considered “healthy“ have - you just need to see their CGM results ) can lead to insulin resistance, a condition where cells become less responsive to insulin's signal to take up glucose.

  This constant flux of blood sugar disrupts the delicate metabolic processes within mitochondria, leading to stress and dysfunction.

• Refined carbohydrates and unhealthy fats: Diets high in carbohydrates (which most of us unintentionally have) and unhealthy fats (saturated and trans fats) can also contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction.

  These foods are often low in the very nutrients mitochondria need to function optimally and can lead to chronic inflammation, further stressing these cellular powerhouses.

As we age (and we all do every year, remember that) these factors can exacerbate the decline in mitochondrial function, contributing to the development of chronic diseases.

By understanding the intricate link between hormonal health, mitochondrial function, and nutrition, we can take proactive steps to promote healthy aging and potentially extend our HLE.

The Focus Needs To Shift Towards Promoting Healthy Aging

This focus shouldn't wait until later years; preventative measures and healthy habits implemented at a young age can have a lasting impact.

Just like building strong bones and muscles in our youth sets the stage for a healthy skeletal and muscular system later in life, prioritizing good metabolic health early on can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases down the road.

One of the available tools we have in order to understand and control our mitochondrial health is Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) devices.

These devices provide real-time data on blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day, offering a much clearer picture than traditional finger pricks.

By monitoring blood sugar levels, we can gain valuable insights into our body's response to food.

This information empowers us to make informed dietary choices that promote stable blood sugar levels and, consequently, optimal mitochondrial function throughout life.

Imagine mitochondria as tiny, efficient engines within our cells. When fueled properly with the right nutrients and protected from the damaging effects of chronic high blood sugar, these engines can function optimally, generating energy and keeping our bodies running smoothly.

By taking charge of our metabolic health early on, we can potentially prevent the chronic diseases that erode HLE and live not just longer, but vibrantly, for many years to come.

The shift can seem confusing at the beginning, but it is easier than you think.

We are here to help you start your journey.

Most people that read the blog finds the information very useful but never subscribe or like the content.

This is what helps authors like me grow, so if you found value in the post, please click the subscribe and like button, so I can keep growing and bringing you more valuable information.