Gail Clayton, R.Ph., M.S., CNS, of Beyond Pharmaceuticals, specializes in addressing complex, chronic medical issues such as difficulty with aging. She does it with a holistic approach that combines her training as a pharmacist and a nutritionist. Her holistic approach addresses the underlying body chemistry and how it can be optimized to produce the desired outcome. In this case, graceful aging.
Americans are living longer these days, yet most are not feeling strong. The rate of chronic disease has increased faster each year as many Americans move into their 50’s and 60’s. As they reach their golden years, these people are feeling less healthy, less strong, and are experiencing more aches and pains than in years past, not to mention the onset of serious diseases. According to Gail Clayton, R.Ph. M.S. C.N.S and founder of Beyond Pharmaceuticals, LLC, this doesn’t have to be the case. “It is entirely possible to age wonderfully and to live long and strong without developing chronic disease,” explained Clayton.
As people age, they are at increased risk of developing a chronic illness due to many reasons such as genetics, diet, and lifestyle, and toxic exposures. Surprisingly, one of the biggest contributors to poor health in older adults is the decreased ability to digest food. “A 50 year old has only half of the digestive-absorptive capability of an 18 year old,” remarked Gail Clayton. “This decrease in digestive capability sets us up for increased risk of pathogenic bacteria growth in our intestines and nutritional deficiencies .” These bacteria and nutritional deficiencies are thought to be at the root of many of our chronic degenerative diseases such as MS, Alzheimer’s Disease, dementia, and many autoimmune diseases.
According to Clayton, despite these facts, there are some things that can be done to lower the risk of developing chronic illnesses commonly associated with aging by supporting digestion such as:
• Limit caffeine intake to two cups daily. Switch to herbal teas that provide excellent digestive benefits. Teas that stimulate digestion and aid in the absorption of nutrients include: ginger, artichoke, dandelion, lemon balm, licorice, peppermint, and fennel.
• Drink eight glasses of 8 ounces of water daily. With aging, people lose their thirst sensation and are more likely to become dehydrated. Water is the most important nutrient that aids in digestion by hydrating the cells in the intestines for better absorption of nutrients and providing the moisture needed for proper defecation and elimination of toxins.
• Include fermented foods in the diet to aid in digestion. Fermented foods will stimulate gastric acid production to digest foods and provide healthy bacteria for intestinal health. Great food options include fermented ginger, kombucha, kefir, sauerkraut, pickles, and yogurt.
• Avoid processed foods and sugar. They only provide calories with no real nutritional benefit. Sugar can serve as a food source for the unhealthy bacteria in our gut and causes inflammation in the body that zaps us of our energy.
• Switch bread intake to breads that are organic, sprouted, and organic whole grain only. These types of whole grains will help to stabilize blood sugar and provide healthy carbohydrates for colon health, which in turn stimulates blood flow to the intestines for better nutrient absorption and help to protect us from colon & breast cancer.
Clayton added, “As we age, our genetic weaknesses, diet & lifestyle factors play a much larger role as to whether we develop an illness or disease, and by shifting our diet to be more nutrient dense and including foods to support proper digestion, we can reverse or even delay the onset of a disease and enjoy our golden years. We all deserve to enjoy the best years of our lives.”
Gail Clayton, R.Ph., M.S., CNS, the owner and founder of Beyond Pharmaceuticals, combines her nutritional training with her pharmaceutical background to help patients recover their health naturally by rebalancing their core systems through nutrition so that their bodies have the tools needed to heal themselves.
Patients seeking help with personalized aging plans or other complex, medical issues that have been difficult to identify, can learn more about by visiting: http://www.BeyondPharmaceuticals.com
