WPM Article Summary by WPM Copy Editors

Title of Article: Live Longer…and Healthier Author: Angie C. Marek Publication: Smart Money Magazine Date of Publication: June 2008

WPM Editorial Comment The study of 'Living Longer', also known as Anti-Aging Medicine or Longevity Research, is one of the hottest topics in the health paradigm. Baby Boomers or 'Active Older Adults' is the largest and wealthiest generation (born between 1946-1965) to ever retire. Moreover this generation wants top services to keep them moving and functioning at a high level. Quality of life is paramount because without health this affluent population segment will not enjoy the riches created from working hard during their respective professional endeavors.

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Introduction Today, more and more the affluent people across the country are paying thousands of dollars for their health. The baby boomer generation, or middle aged people, is trying their hardest to stay fit and healthy, and are willing to pay big money to add years to their lives. Whether its an exercise routine, blood work or extensive testing, the baby boomers are prepared to do anything that stops aging, prevents a disease, or helps them discover some "medical miracle" about themselves. The industry is booming, and even though some are skeptical of the Anti-aging testing, the boomers are steadfast on keeping themselves healthy at whatever the price may be.

Bullet Points: 10 Points of interest in the article • American Households that earn $150,000 or more are spending $5,000 a year on healthcare expenses, almost 2x that of people who earn less • The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine says Anti-aging will grow to a $79 billion dollar business in 2009, up from a $56 billion dollar business in 2006. • Today's "wonder drugs" are controversial. Some Anti-aging clinics use drugs containing Human Growth Hormone, which is very dangerous. • Popular health clinics include: The Mayo Clinic, The Fours Seasons Hotel Clinic, and the Cooper Clinic. • While some testing is helpful, some is harmful. Chest CT exams for example deliver between 10-100 times more radiation than a regular x-ray which can cause cancerous conditions. Some tests also lead to false positives, false negatives, side effects, and even fatal complications. • There are over 1500 genetic tests on the market, double the number a decade ago. • Single-nucleotide polymorphisms or, SNP's, are small alterations in people's genes that can make them more likely to develop significant health problems. Some doctors won't go near the testing thought it can deliver the worst news is not 100% sure yet. • Only 8% of U.S. hospitals offered alternative medicine in 1998, 27% do today. And a recent government study found 36% of people tried some form of complimentary medicine in 2002 alone. • Vitamins and herbal supplements aren't regulated as closely as pharmaceutical products; experts caution that they often contain different ingredients than their labels suggest, including risky additives like mercury or lead.

Conclusion Overall, the baby boomer generation is feeding the contemporary medicine field, and keeping it alive & wealthy. Anti-aging medicine and health treatment is very expensive and can cost up to $3,000 dollars a check-up. Some of the treatment is deemed remarkable, other aspects are considerably unknown and dangerous. But whatever the Anti-aging market is trying to do is working. This medicine and treatment should be used as an alternative approach only, not as a replacement for traditional medicine until further advancements in the field are founded in evidence-based research.

Sources • Cooper Clinic • OZ Garcia, a nutritionist and author of books on diet and longevity • The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine • Jay Olshansky, a longevity researcher at the University of Illinois at Chicago • Princeton Longevity center (NJ)/Mayo Clinic (MN)/Four Seasons Hotel (CA) • American Cancer Society • Dennis Fryback, former member of The U.S. Preventative Service Task Force • Canyon Ranch • David Valle, head of The Institute of Genetic Medicine at Johns Hopkins University • Mari Baker, President & CEO of Nangenics • The National Institutes of Health • Ron Hunninghake-Medical Director at Bright Spot • Wallace Sampson, Stanford University Medical Professor