For generations, the concept of youth was similar to that of an “invisible suit of armor”, to be in one’s 20s or 30s was to possess a biological “ get out of jail” free from any kind of chronic illnesses. Since time immemorial, we have been told that: Live fast and eat poorly now, and later worry about the consequences faced at the age of 50s. Illnesses such as High blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular health ailments were seen as “old men stuff”, but now they have become quite prevalent among the young generation too. Across the globe, data indicates that the “middle aging” of the young is no longer a fringe theory but a clinical reality. Research studies conducted in various health institutes have revealed that rates of cancer have doubled in few populations; autoimmune disorders are sky-rocketing among Gen-Z; and metabolic dysfunction is being diagnosed in teenagers as well. So the reality before us is that our chronological health is no longer a predictable indicator of our health. What's the reason for this sudden downfall?
1. The Metabolic Assault: The most important trigger to the deteriorating health of today's youth is the modern food environment. It is true that previous generations had access to sugar and fat, yet they did not live in an ecosystem which was dominated by Ultra Processed Foods. These ultra processed foods are not just unhealthy foods, but they are industrial formulations which are specially designed for hyper palatability, often underestimating the body's own natural safety signals. When the body is regularly forced to manage constant insulin spikes and low level gut inflammation from a young age, the biological battle of “wear and tear” gets collected decades earlier. This harmful process has led to the rise of “Metabolic Age”, in this process a 25 year old young man may possess the cellular profile and insulin resistance of a 50 year old individual.
2. Sedentary Lifestyle: In previous times, physical activity was a crucial part of everyone's daily lives. Today we stay in a world that is “sedentary by design”. This shift towards remote work and digital environment has kept an individual sitting before the screen as much as 12 hours or perhaps more than that. It has been observed that doctors are now treating spinal disorders globally, a condition which was primarily reserved for elderly workers. Apart from this, another common health phenomenon occurring among today's young generation is the “Skinny Fat” Phenomenon, where many young adults maintain a normal weight but unknowingly carry dangerous levels of visceral fats around their organs due to a lack of NEAT ( Non Exercise Activity Thermogenesis). Most people think that after spending an hour in the gym will heal their fat and make their body return to a normal shape, but that's not the reality. Spending one hour in the gym, will not fully undo the damage done during the 23 hours of inactivity.
3. Chronic Cortisol Issue: Being young in this present generation is not easy at all, most of the individuals are suffering from “existential stress” that previous generations did not experience. This hectic combination of a 24 hour news cycle, social media “comparison culture”, and economic distress keeps the young body in a state of chronic sympathetic nervous system activation, which in other words is known as “ Fight or Flight”. Clinical trials have shown that when our body is filled with cortisol in moderate to high amounts everyday, the normal immune function of our body is suppressed, which leads to a rise in allergies and autoimmune issues. Many youngsters complain of a common phenomenon called “insomnia” where the sleep quality is destroyed, and prevents the brain from clearing metabolic waste properly. In this way, the systemic inflammation rises, which lays the groundwork for future chronic diseases.
4. The Sleep Problem and Circadian Mismatch: We are currently living through a global experiment in sleep deprivation. The blue light coming from smartphones and the LED lights have fundamentally shifted our circadian rhythms. For youngsters, sleep is the period when the body performs essential “maintenance” that includes muscle repair, memory consolidation and hormonal regulation. Research studies have revealed that when sleep is consistently shortened for a longer period of time, the body loses its ability to heal. This chronic sleep debt acts as an accelerator aging at a cellular level.
5. Environmental Toxicity: We cannot ignore our surroundings, young generations have been exposed to a higher “chemical load” since birth than any generation before them. If we take examples, we may begin from endocrine disrupting chemicals in plastics and skincare to microplastics present in drinking water and blood streams, these substances normally interfere with your fragile hormone signalling. For women especially, it is lethal because it interferes with their fertility rates and makes them victims to chronic hormonal issues like PCOS(Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and also lowers down the testosterone levels in young male individuals.
The Rise of “Early Onset” of Chronic Disease
A major health study published provided evidence that youth of today is now falling prey to the clutches of early onset of cancer. Researchers and Health advisors have highlighted that if a young individual is combining low fiber intake, high levels of stress, lack of sleep and also exposing themselves to the environmental toxins, then he/she is opening the door of cell mutations. The most life threatening disease, Cancer, was once thought of as a disease of aging and genetic errors that happens over time, but can increasingly be seen in people of 20s and 30s, whose bodies have been exposed to an unhealthy lifestyle both internally and externally.
How to Reclaim Your Vitality?
Prioritising Whole Foods: You should choose foods that does not come to you either through a box or a wrapper.
Functional Movement: Indulge in physical activities such as walking, stretching, walking, etc. every hour if possible or whenever it is convenient for you because these activities will help to keep your metabolic processes active.
Digital Distance: You must set a significant distance with the screens at least 90 minutes before you proceed for bed, as this distance will help you not only to relax but also to protect your circadian rhythm.
Early Monitoring: Please do not wait till the age of 50 to check and monitor your blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, or blood sugar levels, etc. because prevention is always better than cure, and at the end of day, it is your health, so be always cautious for it.
Final Thoughts:
The “Promise” of youthful and elegant life is no longer valid. However, if we manage to take out some significant amount of time from our hectic schedule and plan our lifestyle towards a healthier approach by implementing practices mentioned above, then it can give you long term protection. In today's world, vitality is no longer your birthright; it is a choice that you have to make every single day without fail.
