Feature
ESSENTIAL Naples
Closing in on the
FALL 2021
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Fountain of Youth By Eduardo Maristany, MD
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any adults spend a lot of time and money trying to look younger—topical creams, makeup, hairstyles, facial peels, facial CO2 lasers, and, of course, enhancements like fillers, Botox, and plastic surgery. We exercise like crazy to keep our physiques in shape. We diet. We drink green smoothies. Whatever it takes. As much as this may work on the outside, on the inside your body is still aging. You may still feel groggy or have a general lack of energy. You may experience chronic headaches and joint pain or inflammation. You may gain weight and feel like you can’t get that extra two inches off your waist no matter what you do. Your blood pressure and
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cholesterol and sugar levels may be rising. Most diseases, in fact, are diseases of aging; therefore, as you age, by definition you have a higher risk for disease. Researchers are developing solutions to stall nature. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, or NAD+, is a naturally occurring cofactor/coenzyme derived from Vitamin B3 (niacin, which is present in all living cells) and a nucleotide (which is what your DNA is made of). NAD+ starts to diminish as we age, so research has focused on the impact of reintroducing NAD+ to the body. Many doctors of functional medicine are increasingly optimistic that we can turn the clock around using the right therapies.
10/6/21 9:12 AM
