From the ‘Don’t Die’ call of Bryan Johnson, to the ‘Be Happy’ motto of most Indian Gurus, 2025 promises to be the year of longevity promotion.
Strange how healthcare has turned a full circle and come to rest where it all began. Taking a leaf from Darwin’s Survival of the Fittest, mankind has constantly adapted and innovated from the primitive days to protect, prolong and preserve the species by using everything from common sense to intuition to conditioned learning, during evolution.
Weren’t we as children given special turmeric preparations in winter to combat the cold and citrus juices in summer to neutralize dehydration! Covid rekindled the flame of immunity buildup and the zinc and clove and what-have-you, came tumbling out, to gallantly aid the contemporary armamentarium.
The renaissance in healthcare has been adequately stirred to propagate a worldwide revolution into how we approach health and wellness. The ‘absence of disease’ is one definition of good health, but building health proactively is now the new mantra.
The correct amount of protein to not only combat catabolism, but actively aid anabolism, is now centerstage. What’s getting even more attention is the source of that protein and its optimum contribution from the first class protein category. In the quest for living longer, isometric and isotonic exercise is a must and the timing of this protein ingestion is also critical.
The favourite whipping boy, fats, is next. While there is a growing acceptance of ghee and the use of omega 3 and like fatty acids unequivocally, the contribution of calories from fats is always edging southwards but importantly, never banished. From olive oil and unsaturated fatty acids, cooking mediums have now a garden variety to offer and individuals are spoilt for choice.
Glucose, an ingredient considered outcast in planning healthy diets, has its role to play in situations which are mutually exclusive and often irreplaceable, like in brain metabolism. The different forms of glucose (fructose, sucrose,etc) need to be carefully understood before adoption or procrastination.
Of course, the age, sex, occupation etc of each need to be carefully comprehended in the compilation.
This brings me to the increasing use of curcumin, ginger, different seeds (flax, sunflower, pumpkin etc), cloves, Tulsi (stevia), saffron, the list is endless, which is returning to dining tables and dietary supplements. Nature and its organic produce is leading the way in planning the menu of anti-aging schemes.
Sleep and rest is a cardinal commodity to be encashed in healthy living. The quantum of sleep, its quality and the regularity in establishing a punctual mind switch-off mechanism, to allow the neurotransmitters to work in the foreground, is assuming great significance. To allow the mind and body to wean off into the lull of slumber at almost the same daily time with a conducive mindset, is to coax, cajole and finally direct the hormones and tissues to work towards anti-ageing. Planning the sleep routine and adhering to its rhythm may sound difficult to begin with, but once inculcated, reaps dividends.
Happiness quotient and positive thinking are closely related and form the basis of healthy living. Unfortunately, both have evaporated in the humdrum of modern life, entangled in its pursuit of success at any and all cost. Dopamine, the neuromodulator that governs motivation, the feel-good sensation and satisfaction, is easy to woo but to nurture its benefits, the cause and effect have to be cultivated. Efforts to mentally seek it even for short periods by running away to ashrams or retreats are now passé and the evolution to preach and practice it on a day to day basis is the fundamental tenet of nouveau wellness. Experiencing its blossom from within, tutored from a discipline of satisfaction and love, is more important than seeking it from a teacher. Unbridling the mind from SSRIs and mood elevators and allowing the healthy mind to meander into positivity is the new raga.
I can go on and on with the seeming trifles that would ultimately make perfection, but the physician in me nudges to remind that in this quest for the infinite existence, the quick and uncomplicated disposal of disease in the most scientific and acceptable manner, is never to be ignored. Regular clinic and laboratory checks have to run parallel
Modern medicine has clearly accepted and inculcated this new order, but one needs to walk together with all the different disciplines in the march to eternity.
In the “Bhool Bhulaiya” of fast paced living, you need to “Zero Se Restart “if you want to shun the “Vanvaas ” of ill health.
Let the HNY resolution be to embark on the path of healthy living in mind and body.
(Dr Hemant Thacker is a consultant physician & cardiometabolic specialist practicing in Mumbai. Email:dochpt@gmail.com)
