Hunger Hormone and Inflammation Linked to Aging

Think about somebody who’s getting older that you haven’t seen in awhile. When you finally meet up again after a long period of time, you might be surprised that they look just as young as you remembered, or that they’ve aged considerably since your last get-together. You might look in the mirror and think that about yourself, too.

So what’s happening here? Why do some people seem to age well, while others seem to show signs of aging a lot more than others? It’s no secret that lifestyle habits and genetics have a big impact on health and longevity. But researchers at Texas A&M University wanted to find out more about what impacts the rate of aging.

Lab tests revealed that one factor linked to an increase the rate a person ages is elevated levels of ghrelin. It’s a hormone that increases hunger. And for most people, that also means more snacking, more weight gain, and more inflammation. Researchers believe this combination of factors may be one reason some people age faster than others. They also found that when these factors are present, people are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

So what can you do about the hunger hormone? If you want to be one of those people who appear to age well, lead researcher Dr. Yuxiang Sun recommends controlling ghrelin levels. Here’s how:

• Get 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night.
• Reduce stress.
• Drink more water.
• Exercise 30 to 60 minutes a day.
• Eat healthy foods.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be complicated or take a lot of time in the kitchen. We’ve made it easy to help you enjoy delicious and healthy food. Take a look at our Meal Plans for Seniors, and you’ll find a great selection of entrees for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When you eat healthy and make smart lifestyle choices, you’ll reduce ghrelin levels and inflammation, and maintain a healthy weight. It’s the best way to add years to your life, and life to your years.