Biology of Aging: The Role of Hormones
Growing understanding of the biology of aging reveals hormones play a key role in determining disease risk and lifespan.
As early as age 30, most adults see testosterone levels decline by 1% per year. Growth hormone production may fall by up to 14% annually. These hormones stimulate tissue repair, enhance cognition, maintain lean body mass, mobilize fat stores, and more - preserving health and function throughout life.
Emerging research shows maintaining youthful hormone balance throughout adulthood can:
- Slow onset of disease - Optimizing hormone levels reduces factors driving chronic inflammation underlying conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
- Protect brain health - Age-related hormone decline parallels reduced cognitive function and elevated dementia risk. Normalizing levels enhances memory, focus, and neural connectivity.
- Strengthen resilience - Balanced hormones enhance physiological reserves protecting against stressors.
- Extend healthspan - Studies associate sufficient testosterone and growth hormone levels with increased life expectancy.
Table 3. Impact of 10 Year Increase in Hormone Levels
| Testosterone | Growth Hormone |
|-|-|
8% drop in heart disease deaths | 14% reduced risk of heart attack |
15% reduced diabetes risk | 7% drop in stroke risk |
23% lower Alzheimer's risk | 75% reduction in diabetes death risk |
| 10% drop in all-cause mortality | 6.5 year increased life expectancy |
Supporting healthy hormone balance across adulthood allows both women and men to look and feel their best while reducing disease burden and extending longevity. Our integrative protocols incorporate testing, hormone optimization, nutrition, and lifestyle guidance designed to help patients achieve sustainable wellness.