There is no doubt that conventional medicine has made incredible strides when it comes to extending the human lifespan. Since 1950, the average life expectancy has increased by over 10 years in the U.S. and by over 30 years across the globe. Much of this progress is due to advances in medical care and screening protocols that have made diseases associated with old age manageable. This makes living into the 70s and 80s possible for many, with some even planning on living to 100 and beyond.
However, despite impressive progress in increasing life span through medical advances, conventional medicine alone often focuses on the quantity of years lived without fully considering the quality of our later years, or our “health span.” By relying too heavily on pharmaceuticals and primarily treating the symptoms of disease, as opposed to the underlying causes, many of us are left to deal with chronic, ongoing conditions as we age. We may be living longer, but little thought is given to helping us live those years in good health. Nevertheless, many people are seeking ways to extend their health span past 100, which is now entirely possible with an approach to health care that goes beyond the scope of conventional practices.
By adopting a whole-person health care strategy that prioritizes the root causes of disease rather than individual symptoms, you can achieve a longer, fuller life by focusing on “optimal health.”
What Is Optimal Health?
Optimal health is the difference between a life spent managing symptoms and maintaining the status quo of health, and a life spent disease-free, feeling energized, balanced, active, mentally sharp, and emotionally well. One way these pieces can be brought together is through a health care strategy that goes well beyond conventional practices in medicine through a personalized, whole-person practice known as precision health care.
Of course, optimal health will mean different things for different people. One person may want to be able to run a marathon, while another might be content with daily walks around their neighborhood. These differences are why optimal health goals are ultimately determined by a patient. With the help of a precision health care provider, they can reach this level of health through pathways unique to them, such as specialty testing, personalized recommendations for supplementation or lifestyle changes.
However, optimal health should not be thought of as something you can achieve overnight. Reaching and maintaining optimal health requires committing to work with your provider to understand what works best for your mind and body so you can take the right steps every day to support your health.
Some Strategies for Achieving Optimal Health
You can make optimal health a more achievable and realistic goal by following a few strategies for improving the long-term quality of your life.
Find A Provider You Can Connect With
It has become all too common for many conventional healthcare providers to treat patients like a collection of symptoms, rather than an actual person. But who we are, how we live, and what we want to get out of life are intricately woven into what optimal health looks like for each of us. That is why it is so important to work with a provider who is interested in getting to know you as an individual and has the time to do so.
Address The Root Causes Of Any Conditions
Sadly, the U.S. has some of the highest rates of chronic disease in the world. This is largely because the conventional healthcare system we rely on is more focused on treating singular illnesses and their symptoms instead of the root causes of disease. This can trap us in a cycle. Without a whole-body approach that considers the underlying reasons or lifestyle factors that may be contributing to a condition, optimal health will remain out of reach for many.
Building a strong, healthy mind and body to last well into old age requires you to consider all of its needs. Instead of focusing just on short-term relief, the right provider will work with you to determine a comprehensive plan for addressing the core reasons your health may not be reaching its full potential. For example, if you suffer from high blood pressure, a provider that you’ve built a professional relationship with will dig deeper into the reason why this condition is occurring. They will go beyond medication and help you make lasting adjustments to your diet and lifestyle so that you can take control and feel better long-term.
Invest In Specialty Programs
Another reason why our overall quality of life typically lowers as we age can be traced back to our modern lifestyles. Constant anxiety, a lack of consistent and high-quality sleep, poor nutrition, dehydration, and hormone imbalances can all have a significant effect on our overall health. Conventional medicine providers rarely understand how these factors ultimately reduce our well-being over time and keep us from achieving optimal health.
Ask your provider and look for specialty programs that can address these challenges and help you feel your best. For instance, ReVital’s bioidentical hormone replacement therapy for women may result in benefits such as enhanced recovery from physical training, faster weight loss, and improved sexual health. Or even other speciality services like IV therapy can help reduce inflammation, improve the immune system, and raise energy levels.
Optimal health is within your reach. Take action and start changing your approach to how you think about healthcare.
How To Get Help
ReVital offers free consultations where you can speak to one of our clinicians about ReVital’s Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy. At ReVital, we can conduct simple blood tests to evaluate the levels of these hormones in your system and prescribe supplements or therapies to treat and control the majority of hormonal imbalances. We also encourage that you connect with your regular doctor about any changes in your health and moods.