Live Long, Drop Dead
BHRT and Longevity
Live Long, Drop Dead is the concept coined by Mark Sisson, known as the Godfather of Paleo and founder of The Primal Kitchen, that captures the ideal model of aging. Yes, it sounds harsh but think about it. Would you rather live a prolonged period of frailty and suffering or a robust healthy life with minimal decline before an abrupt, natural departure? This concept also fits perfectly with the goal of maximizing health span.
Lifespan vs Healthspan
Lifespan refers to the total number of years a person lives. While advances in medical science, sanitation, and nutrition have significantly extended human lifespan over the past century, simply living longer does not necessarily mean living well.
Healthspan, on the other hand, refers to the number of years a person lives in good health, free from serious illness or disability. The goal of modern medicine and wellness approaches is not just to extend life but to enhance the quality of those extended years.
Too many people experience a significant gap between lifespan and healthspan, spending the last years of life dealing with chronic diseases, frailty, and cognitive decline. The key to bridging this gap lies in optimizing biological function, which includes hormonal balance, diet, exercise, and other healthy lifestyle interventions.
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy (BHRT) plays a critical role in improving Healthspan by regulating numerous bodily functions, including metabolism, muscle mass, bone density, mood, cognition, and immune function. As we age, key hormones decline, contributing to age-related conditions and a reduced healthspan.
BHRT involves supplementing hormones that are molecularly identical to those the body naturally produces. It is often used to address hormone deficiencies associated with aging, in both men (testosterone) and women (estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone).
Potential Benefits of BHRT for Healthspan
Maintains Muscle Mass & Strength – Hormones like testosterone help prevent sarcopenia (age-related muscle loss), promoting mobility and strength.
Supports Cognitive Function – Estrogen and testosterone play roles in brain health, potentially reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Enhances Cardiovascular Health – Estrogen has been shown to have protective effects on heart health, while testosterone helps regulate lipid metabolism.
Improves Bone Density – Hormonal balance is crucial in preventing osteoporosis, particularly post-menopause and in aging men.
Boosts Energy & Mood – BHRT can enhance overall well-being by improving mood, reducing anxiety/depression, and increasing vitality.
Supports Sexual Health – Testosterone in both men and women is essential for libido, sexual function, and overall quality of life.
Regulates Metabolism & Weight – Hormones influence fat storage, insulin sensitivity, and metabolic rate, helping to prevent obesity-related diseases.
BHRT is one tool in extending healthspan, and works best when combined with healthy lifestyle interventions. For example, an Anti-inflammatory, nutrient-dense diet helps optimize cellular function; resistance training and cardiovascular exercise improve and protect cardiovascular health and longevity; getting good sleep and managing stress can decrease the accelerated aging that often accompanies poor sleep and chronic stress; adding supplements like NAD+, and antioxidants to further support cellular health.
Integrating BHRT with lifestyle interventions can maximize both lifespan and healthspan, leading to a longer and healthier life, free from the slow deterioration that often comes with traditional aging, ensuring that the additional years gained through medical advancements are vibrant and fulfilling.
Instead of gradually declining with chronic disease, the goal is to stay robust and functional until the very end. This strategy is about empowerment—taking control of your health to live as fully as possible, for as long as possible. We at Hale Clinic are here to help you do that. Make an appointment to talk with us and let us show you how to live long and drop dead!
In Good Health!
Eva
Eva Schmidt, FNP-BC, NBC-HWC, PCC
Medical Director, Hale Clinic