The event focused on research into the environmental causes of age-related disease and included presentations on prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease, aging and disease of the central nervous system, and nutrition and aging. One interesting speaker at the symposium was Dr. Edward Schneider who is currently the Dean of the Andrus Gerontology Center and the former Deputy Director of the National Institute on Aging. Dr. Schneider provided the audience with his prescription for successful aging and stated at the outset that exercise, consumption of fruits and vegetables, vitamins and hormones all influence healthy aging. Research has shown that exercise increases longevity, improves cardiopulmonary fitness, reduces bone loss, reduces the impact of arthritis and overall makes a person feel better. He also emphasized that it is never too late to begin exercising and the activities should be things you enjoy.
Nutrition also plays an important role in aging and the prevention of disease.
As we get older, one-third of individuals don t absorb vitamin B12. There is also a decrease in calcium absorption and in the amount of vitamin D stored in the skin. These vitamin deficiencies can have a large impact on health. Antioxidants have recently come under a lot of scrutiny for their potential health benefit. Throughout life, environmental exposures result in the production of free radicals.