Humans may have reached their maximum life expectancyaccording to a recent Harvard study – but that probably won’t stop them from trying to prolong their lives.

A recent poll found that 81% of people surveyed said they were “somewhat or very willing” to spend money to live longer – although many don’t know where to start.

Dr. Sajad Zalzala, co-founder and chief medical officer of AgelessRx in Detroit, Michigan, is committed to helping people live not only their longest, but also their healthiest lives.

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As a physician with training in functional medicine, Zalzala worked to find and treat the root causes of symptoms and illnesses, which led him into the field of longevity.

In 2019, he launched AgelessRx to try to “solve the puzzle of aging.”

Dr. Sajad Zalzala, co-founder and chief medical officer of AgelessRx in Detroit, Michigan, shares his secrets to living longer, healthier lives. (Dr. Sajad Zalzala / AgelessRX)

Zalzala spoke on camera with Fox News Digital about the characteristics of aging and what he considers the most important elements of a a longer and healthier life.

The characteristics of aging

Although the aging process can be different in different people, researchers have identified some “common denominators” of cellular and molecular aging, which Zalzala shared with Fox News Digital.

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1. Genomic instability: This happens when damaged DNA leads to diseases like cancer and weakens the body’s ability to heal, according to the doctor.

2. Telomere attrition: Shorter telomeres (DNA sequences at the end of a chromosome) cause visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and slower cell regeneration.

3. Epigenetic alteration: That’s when environmental factors change gene function, accelerating skin aging and metabolic problems, Zalzala said.

4. Loss of proteostasis: “Misfolded proteins contribute to age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s disease“, said the doctor.

5. Mitochondrial dysfunction: According to Zalzala, reduced energy production leads to fatigue and muscle weakness.

6. Dysregulated nutrient sensing: “A dysfunction in the regulation of metabolism and in the control of energy production is one of the causes of our aging,” said the doctor.

7. Cellular senescence: With this phenomenon, cells stop dividing, causing signs of aging like skin thinning and age spots.

8. Stem cell depletion: “Fewer stem cells result in gray hair and slower tissue repair,” Zalzala noted.

9. Impaired intercellular communication: Poor cellular communication weakens tissue health and immune responses, according to the doctor.

10. Macroautophagy disabled: This is a slowing down of the process that delivers metabolites and energy to cells, according to ScienceDirect.

11. Chronic inflammation: As people age, increased inflammation is directly linked to the development of many diseases and the effects of aging, experts agree.

12. Dysbiosis: This condition causes an imbalance in the body’s microscopic organisms, which can have negative health impacts, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Many features of aging can be treated through behavioral changes, the doctor said. (iStock)

Many of these characteristics can be corrected through behavioral changes, Zalzala said.

“Many things can be benefited from the lifestyle“, he said. “For example, eating a highly processed diet, not exercising, and being sedentary promotes inflammation, which accelerates the aging process.”

5 cornerstones of health

The doctor shared some of his habits in each of the five “buckets” of a healthy lifestyle.

1. Eat well

Zalzala follows a “paleo-type” diet, consisting primarily of whole foods such as vegetables, low glycemic fruits and lean proteins.

“I stay away from overly processed foods, excessive sweets, and foods with too many starches or simple sugars,” he said.

“Eating a highly processed diet, not exercising, and being sedentary promotes inflammation and accelerates the aging process.”

There’s a lot of debate about whether grains are healthy, Zalzala noted. He tends to avoid them.

“From a purely health standpoint, I don’t think they have much nutritional value,” he said.

When it comes to fruits, not all are created equal, according to Zalzala.

Zalzala follows a “paleo-style” diet, consisting primarily of whole foods like vegetables, low-glycemic fruits, and lean proteins. (iStock)

“Bananas and grapes are high glycemic foods – you should stick to low glycemic fruits like berries and cherries.”

The doctor also refrains from drinking alcohol.

“Alcohol is not very good for longevity, and I would recommend limiting it,” he said. “More and more studies seem to show that there really is no good level of alcohol consumption“.

2. Stay active

Although Zalzala says he’s “not a big fan of exercise,” he recognizes the importance of physical activity in slowing down aging.

He uses a mobile desk in his office for a few hours each day and takes martial arts classes with his teenage son.

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The doctor also spends 20 to 30 minutes a day doing a combination of exercises, including riding a stationary bike, using a rowing machine, and lifting free weights.

“I try to do a little cardio and a little strength training every day,” Zalzala said.

3. Choose the right medications

While Zalzala says he is “very comfortable” with medicationthey should be prescribed carefully based on each person’s individual health goals.

One of the medications he takes regularly is metformin, used to treat type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes.

Although the aging process can be different in different people, researchers have identified some “common denominators” of cellular and molecular aging. (iStock)

Some studies have shown that metformin may help promote longevity and better health outcomessaid the doctor.

“I started taking it mainly as a preventative measure, because I always had problems with my weight,” Zalzala said.

The doctor also recently started taking rapamycin, an immunosuppressive drug known for its potential longevity-enhancing properties.

“Having a way to measure and monitor sleep is very important.”

Zalzala also sometimes takes acarbose, a antidiabetic medication this helps regulate blood sugar levels.

“When I eat starchy foods and carbohydrates, I try to take acarbose to limit some of the blood sugar spikes that can occur – and it also helps improve the microbiome,” he said.

Although Zalzala says he is “very comfortable” with medications, they must be prescribed carefully based on each person’s individual health goals. (iStock)

More recently, Zalzala started taking atorvastatin (Lipitor) to help keep his cholesterol levels at a reasonable level. healthy level.

“I have a family history of heart disease and I just couldn’t get my LDL cholesterol levels down with diet and exercise,” he said.

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The doctor occasionally takes NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), a coenzyme that helps regulate metabolism.

“Aging or certain illnesses can drain the body of NAD+, so I take it here and there when I’m feeling exhausted and need an energy boost,” he said.

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“More and more data shows that maintaining a youthful energy level can help with all kinds of things, so I see it as necessary for mitochondrial support and also for general longevity.”

4. Supplement for health

Zalzala has always been a supporter of supplements to promote a healthier life.

“Over the years, I’ve tried many different supplements. I always like to try things on myself, see how I feel, see how it moves the markers.”

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Vitamin D is among the most important supplements, he said.

Studies have shown that vitamin D supplements can help improve bone health, brain health and immune function, among other benefits.

Studies have shown that vitamin D supplements can help improve bone health, brain health, and immune function. (iStock)

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), a hormone produced in the adrenal gland, is another one of its top picks. Some studies have shown that DHEA helps reduce abdominal fat, improve insulin resistance, and reduce inflammation in the arteries.

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The doctor also takes Coenzyme Q10, an antioxidant supplement, to counter the potential harms of his heart medications.

“If you can’t sleep well, very little matters, because it will disrupt your metabolism and all your hormones,” the doctor told Fox News Digital. (iStock)

“As long as the person doesn’t have any major illnesses, I think most supplements won’t do any harm and could be beneficial if taken intelligently,” he said.

It is important to talk with a doctor before starting a new medication, supplement or exercise program, the doctor emphasized.

5. Improve sleep hygiene

According to Zalzala, one of the most important and overlooked aspects of health is sleep.

“If you can’t sleep well, very little matters, because it will disrupt your metabolism and all your hormones,” he told Fox News Digital.

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“So having a way to measure and monitor sleep is very important.”

If someone suffers from sleep apnea or another sleep disorder, it’s essential to talk to a doctor about ways to improve sleep, the doctor advised.