How to stay healthy while aging?

BACKGROUND: Aging is characterized by a gradual loss of normal physiological function, culminating in frailty and increased susceptibility to diseases. One plausible candidate for this is the decrease in oxygen supply that occurs with aging. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: The purpose is to compile a literature review to provide well-founded guidelines for healthy aging. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Based on published literature, the significance of changes in oxygen supply and autonomic regulation in aging is analyzed. RESULTS: Both oxygen uptake and its delivery to organs decline with age. This induces low-level hypoxia and further oxidative stress (OS) that is thought to cause aging-related disease conditions. Therefore, aging and hypoxia are connected. Hypoxia-induced OS also leads to imbalance of the autonomous nervous system (ANS) that is involved in more than 85% of chronic illnesses. Therefore, targeting hypoxia, OS and ANS imbalance is likely an effective treatment strategy for most age-related neurodegenerative and other diseases. This is best done with a hybrid strategy consisting of hyperbaric air or oxygen and non-invasive vagal nerve stimulation for reversing sympathoexcitation and stress. CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: In all, two strategies to slow down age-related dysfunctions and diseases are to correct hypoxia and to reduce stress.