HLEX – A New Longevity Measure Or Chronic Illness Indicator?

A new measure of aging is HLEX – Health Life Expectancy. Just a reminder on the two previous measures:

Life Span – the age to which the body could survive, forsaking the impact of disease

Life Expectancy – the average to which we currently live, taking account of disease

Although the average lifespan is increasing through improved nutrition and better healthcare, the life expectancy, the actual age of mortality remains about the same. This is due to the impact of chronic disease.

But what is more alarming, is that the average age to which we live before suffering a chronic illness is reducing. This has led to a new measure being introduced, the HLEX.

HLEX is the life expectancy without a chronic illness. The HLEX is reducing due to two reasons:

1. The number of cases of chronic disease each year is escalating across the globe

2. Prior to improved healthcare, patients would have died from simple heart attacks, strokes etc. Today medical interventions are capable of maintaining life, even if not curing the disease.

In reviewing chronic disease statistics, it is troubling to learn:

- In 2000, there were 600 million people aged 60 and over; there will be 1.2 billion by 2025 and 2 billion by 2050.

- Today, about 66 percent of all older people are living in the developing world; by 2025, it will be 75 percent.

- In the developed world, the very old [age 80+] is the fastest growing
population group.

- Women outlive men in virtually all societies; consequently in very old age, the ratio of women/men is 2:1.

- Without action, 17 million people will die prematurely this year from a chronic disease.

- One billion adults are overweight - without action, this figure will surpass 1.5 billion by 2015. 22 million children under five years old are overweight

If the major risk factors for chronic disease were eliminated, at least 80% of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes would be prevented; and 40% of cancer would be prevented.

Chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world, representing 60% of all deaths. Out of the 35 million people who died from chronic disease in 2005, half were under 70 and half were women.

It seems we are just not taking repsonsibility for our own health. Obesity is still climbing in the USA, yet exercise is not increasing and meal portions are not decreasing. We are all ready to jump up and down when 'the government' will not fund preventative vaccinations or treatments - yet as individuals, we are not willing to make simple lifestyle changes to reduce the toxins in our lives. We continue to eat toxic food, engage in smoking cigarettes, drink too much alcohol, use unnecessary numbers of toxic cleaning products, build with toxic materials, work in toxic environments......and do little to balance the score or help our bodies rid itself of this toxic overload.

Do you just not realise - you are killing yourself. Not your boss, not the Government. Good food is available everywhere. It does not need to be 'organic'. It just needs to be lower in sugar, trans fats, artificial colorings and preservatives. Whole foods are not expensive, and they are easy to prepare. Supplement this diet with some antioxidants and you will add years to your life. See antiaging-wellness.com for more information on toxic foods, toxic house, free radicals and antioxidants.

Nicola Carr is publishing editor of anti-aging website Antiaging-Wellness .com. Slow aging and prevent disease to enjoy a
healthier, more energetic life with anti-aging products and treatments and tips on boosting your energy.