One of the primary reasons we age is the progressive damage to our nuclear DNA. As the DNA becomes damaged - typically from oxidative stress or replication errors - its signaling for the production of enzymes and other cellular functions starts developing errors. As these errors accumulate, cellular function declines - hence the common experience of declining health and vitality at older ages.

When my younger brother finally got married, he asked our sisters and me at a family reunion for well wishes for the daughter they were expecting. My sisters offered beauty, grace, etc. while I suggested "good mitochondria." They all gave me an askance look. I pointed out our level of energy every day is determined by how much ATP our mitochondria produce to activate the enzymes that make our bodies go. The amount of ATP mitochondria produce is determined by genetics, exercise level, thyroid activity, nutritional status and the amount of damage the mitochondria have sustained.

Stress - emotional, physical, environmental, and spiritual - we all experience it. Sometimes the effects are positive - like getting married or running a marathon - but most often negative. Is there a way to determine when the stress, no matter how desirable, is destructive? Are there nutritional supplements that help protect us from the damaging effects of chronic stress?

We are all very aware of the huge impact sex hormones have on our physiology, anatomy and emotional function. However, few of us think about what happens to the hormones once they have done their job. There are several different pathways by which hormones are detoxified - some are quick, safe and effective while others create metabolites with significant negative effects on health. The speed and detoxification pathway the hormones take is determined by genetics, lifestyle, diet and nutritional status.

Although most of us believe we are not deficient in iodine since the fortification of salt with iodine, the fact is most people are deficient and don't know it. Due to changes in food intake, eating patterns and food production methods, iodine intake has been decreasing in the U.S. since the early 70's. Even worse, we are exposed to increasing levels of environmental toxins that either block the absorption of iodine or block its actions in the body.