Why We Age, Get Sick, and Die

by Marcus Robinson, DCH, Self-published (2025)

The Pathways of Cellular Degeneration Called Aging

Shrinking Tissues

Mitochondrial DNA (mDNA) breaks and mutates quickly. Therefore, looking at the epigenetics (natural processes) of mDNA and how these changes are passed down from generation to generation is helpful. mDNA can influence the cell's fate, cell division, physiological homeostasis, and pathology. Problems with these cell functions can lead to four leading causes of death in the US: cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. When mitochondria signal the end of cell life, immune systems respond with stem cells to replace and remove the dying cells. In good health, the body maintains or grows.  In waning health, stem cell reserves dwindle.  As more cells die than can be replaced and tissues shrink, we become weaker and frail. 

Our bones become brittle, leading to osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and osteoporosis. It's crucial to understand that hip fractures after 65 years are a leading predictor of death within a couple of years, but this is not an inevitable outcome of aging. When it happens to our muscles, we lose tone, strength, flexibility, and stamina. In the brain, this condition gives rise to numerous neurological conditions. In the heart and circulatory system, it can lead to stroke. In the pancreas, this can lead to Type 2 Diabetes. However, many of these conditions can be prevented or delayed with the proper knowledge and proactive measures. This knowledge empowers us to take control of our health and aging process, knowing that we have the power to prevent or delay these conditions.

The brain shrinks in size over time. This shrinkage in tissue has been directly linked to cognitive decline, dementia, and problems with movement and walking, i.e., Parkinson's, ALS, and MS. Scientists can now accurately determine a person's age by the change in the relative size of their brain.  Finally, some cells never get the signal to die and carry forward with broken DNA and mDNA; they throw off free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS). Unchecked, this kind of inflammation can lead to cancer.

Understanding Aging: The Key to Delaying Aging and Avoiding Disease

This is aging. What can we do to avoid, delay, or postpone aging? The key is to keep your mitochondria healthy. By eating foods that support and boost mitochondrial performance, you can ensure they can make all of the energy, hormones, and neurotransmitters your body needs to function correctly.  Stem cell therapy can be helpful in remediating atrophy due to aging. 

More importantly, there are many ways we can change our behavior and environment to remove many of the life-limiting elements we face every day of our lives. The power to delay aging and avoid disease is in your hands. Your daily choices, from what you eat to how you exercise, can significantly impact your aging process and improve the quality of your health daily. This knowledge about the crucial role of mitochondria in aging should motivate you to make healthier choices to help you live better and longer.

Dysfunctional Mitochondria

Mutations in the mDNA of mitochondria are the primary causes of dysfunction. Mutations occur as a function of the natural process of creating the Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) energy the body needs to stay alive. These natural byproducts are called reactive oxygen species, also known as free radicals.  When things are working as they should, mitochondria also produce antioxidants to remove the free radicals from the cells. 

When our bodies can't make enough antioxidants because they don't have the necessary nutrients, enzymes, and minerals from our diet, free radicals build up and interfere with energy production and other vital factors. Sadly, inflammation caused by an overproduction of free radicals can lead to cellular death or, worse, mutating the cell into cancer.

Free Radicals (ROS) cause damage and mutation to mDNA more quickly than human DNA. Damage to mDNA due to these ROS causes deletions and mutations in the mDNA code. Damaged mitochondria produce energy inefficiency while generating vast amounts of ROS-free radicals. This causes inflammation, accelerates aging, and leads to disease in every system of the body. Preventing the excessive generation of free radicals is why we need to make sure our mitochondria are living and working like 'rock stars!'

Zombies Are Real: Be Aware

The Rise of 'Zombie Cells,' cells that refuse to die when worn out, are called senescent.  We might refer to these death-resistant cells in pop culture as 'zombies.' These cells don't function properly; they excrete toxic proteins and free radicals that cause harm and inflammation to the cells around them. This inflammation is the starting point for the four leading endogenic causes of death: cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's. It also perturbs the fifth leading cause of death in the US – medical error. Senescence-associated mitochondrial dysfunction generates vast amounts of Reactive Oxygen Species (free radicals) and is a primary driver of biological degeneration, aging, and disease. As we grow old, the senescent cell population of our bodies can reach as high as 50% of all immune cells!  No wonder people die… (NIH)

When the population of zombie cells reaches higher levels, their excretions cause the surrounding cells to become insulin-resistant. This insulin resistance is the precursor to Type 2 Diabetes.  The inflammation caused by diabetes creates the perfect conditions for disease pathways to heart disease and a full range of metabolic disorders. When these chronic conditions spread into the blood and cardiovascular system, they cause an erosion of vascular corpuscles in the capillaries, starving the body. 

When this happens in the peripheral tissues, cells die of starvation, leading to amputations of digits (fingers and toes) to whole limbs. When this "Type 3" phase of diabetes occurs in the kidneys, it drives cellular atrophy, requiring a grueling regime of dialysis, a kidney transplant, or death. Type 3 Diabetes can manifest in the brain and nervous system as "cognitive decline," dementia, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and related diseases.

Remember that all of this started with an endogenous imbalance of antioxidants, vital enzymes, minerals, fatty acids, amino acids, light, sound, and magnetic forces in the DNA of our mitochondrial symbiont. This imbalance occurs due to our nutrition, lifestyle (social and environmental), and physical activity, which we influence, if not control.

Here Is How To Coexist With Your Zombies

First, you must understand your zombie's prime directive and highest aspiration. The Immune System's Response to 'Zombie Cells' as a cell's mDNA calls for 'self-destruct' is a signal to the immune system for help. This signal triggers a cytokine storm, a rush of immune support to the scene of the 'zombie' presence. The flood of cytokines and other immune support drives the onset of inflammation and swelling. When the body is healthy, damaged cells are removed, and new cells (formerly stem cells) are grown to replace them. When cells are death-resistant and persist in the skeletal system (for example), it signals the onset of arthritis with the usual complement of swelling and pain.

In addition to upgrading our human lifestyles, such as getting better sleep, better nutrition, physical activity, more supportive relationships, and ecology, we can supplement those aspects of our lifestyle to improve the overall balance and homeostasis of our biology. First, consider that the nutrient value of food has declined worldwide. By some measures, the food we eat today has only one-third the nutrient value of foods produced just two generations ago! (SCI AM 2019 - Dirt Poor)(Sadhgrus Soil Save). People who are conscious of this fact are led to supplement vital nutrients in their daily diets.

My approach and general recommendation is to follow a protocol emphasizing a plant-forward diet to consume 22 different kinds of organically raised fruits, vegetables, and nuts each week. If you eat animal proteins, make sure they are wild or raised grass-fed (no commercial feed, hormones, or antibiotics). Drink only highly purified, fresh spring or mineral water bottled at the source. You may drink as much as 50% of your body weight in ounces of water. If you weigh 270 pounds like me, you want to drink as much as 135 ounces daily (including all sources). It would be best to supplement essential and trace minerals daily. Use a compounded formulation that includes sodium, calcium, chloride, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium. Trace minerals include chromium, copper, iron, zinc, iodine, cobalt, manganese, molybdenum, and selenium.

Supplementing specific vitamins daily is vital for all conscious, high-functioning adults. As a baseline for good health, everyone should take vitamins A, D3, K2, and E. Vitamins D and K help improve calcium (minerals writ large) and cardiovascular function. Synergistically, they enhance bone health while supporting the gut and strengthening our immunity. (DAKE Synergy)(DAKE Benefits). You can boost mitochondrial functioning with antioxidants like glutathione and vitamin C, and fatty acids like Omega-3 and PQQ- CoQ10.

Together with the mineral supplementation above, these nutrients provide a solid foundation to build an effective and sustainable strategy for creating higher levels of wellness and vitality while slowing down aging processes. Want a sweet bio-hack for cellular senescence? Try strawberries! No kidding. Strawberries. Who knew? Well, research tells us that strawberries contain a polyphenol called Fisetin. Fisetin and its cousin Quercetin are powerful antioxidants that enhance the body's natural system for identifying and removing weak or dysfunctional cells.

There are pharmaceutics on the market today that have novel off-brand uses to increase mitochondrial functioning and kill senescent cells throughout the body. Since turning 50, I have been taking Glucophage Metformin to address a metabolic syndrome leading to Type 2 Diabetes for more than a decade. Researchers believe that Metformin can identify and kill senescent cells. In studies, Metformin has been shown to alleviate a range of metabolic dysfunctions, cardiovascular disorders, cancer development, and cognitive decline. Some research suggests it may extend life in elderly patients by as much as five years compared with those with similar health profiles who didn't take Metformin. (Asprey 2019 Super Human). These same studies suggest that these effects stem from reduced cellular senescence and fewer free radicals.

Cellular Spanx

The space between your body's cells is functional and contains a network of proteins called the extracellular matrix. This network protects cells from stress, trauma, and natural and artificial forces in ecology while supporting biological function. These tissues provide the body with the full range of elasticity. As we get older, this matrix becomes less pliable and, in some cases, stiffens. In the circulatory system, this stiffening shows up as hypertension and the hardening of blood vessels, making it more challenging to move blood around the body.

The problem here is within our control to some degree. When higher levels of sugars (blood glucose) circulate through our system, they permanently bind with proteins in the blood. High blood sugar irritates the epithelial cells that form the inner lining of our blood vessels and form Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs). Glycation is the process of sugar binding to proteins. This process creates oxidative stress on the body, which accelerates aging. Hence, it's the most appropriate acronym for a name - AGE. 

Sugar molecules floating through your bloodstream seek protein molecules to bind with. This chemical binding process is like browning your proteins in a frying pan. They cook your "insides." Glycation is one reason why we get sick. As these irritations advance, they form plaques in the walls of our veins and arteries. This disease process is called atherosclerosis or "hardening of the arteries." When these plaques form, they trigger a response from our immune system. Too often, this inflammatory response is a driver of what kills us in a heart attack or stroke. Reducing blood sugar is NOT OPTIONAL if you intend to live with better health for longer.

Junk in Your Trunk

As you age, waste products from naturally occurring healthy processes and cellular dysfunctions take up space in and around your cells. This waste comprises plaques and inflammation, which medical doctors call amyloids. These plagues cause disease by gumming up the works and crowding out the natural functioning of the cells like gunk clogging the bathroom sink. At first, a few hairs or refuse hardly get your attention. Over time, though, as the gunk builds up, water flow (e.g., vital nutrients for the body) slows to a trickle, then clogs everything. In the brain, we call this cognitive decline dementia: Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.

In the metabolic system, we call this diabetes. In the vascular system, this can show up as strokes or limb degeneration requiring amputation. Elsewhere in the body, chronic inflammation from AGEs may lead to cancer and other autoimmune issues. (D.Asprey 2019 SuperHuman)

The best way to approach this cause of aging is to reduce sugar intake, reduce stress, and refrain from eating foods that cause the inflammation of your mitochondria. If you're eating foods incompatible with your biology, you will always have some inflammation. Here is the deal. Cellular dysfunction leads to inflammation (stress from glycation). Inflammation leads to aging and degeneration. Inflammation leads to disease. Then, the disease leads to death. Ultimately, you need to avoid and manage all forms of inflammation from all sources to live healthier, better, and longer.

Do this to avoid this pillar of aging:

1. Reduce added sugar from all sources.

2. Reduce stress from all sources.

3. Eat organic plant-forward, wild, grass-fed living whole food.

4. Drink mineral water bottled at the source or purified water and mineral supplements

5. Supplement with DAKE, minerals, Omega-3s, and MCT to support foundational health and wellness

6. Avoid Omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (vegetable and seed oils).

7. Supplement B vitamins (full spectrum), Prebiotic fiber, and PQQ-CoQ10.

8. Detox from heavy metals with Glutathione supplement and infrared sauna

9. Use diet and fasting to boost autophagy.

10. Avoid all fried, grilled, or otherwise aggressively cooked food to A.G.E.s.

    
    

Telomere Shortening

Telomeres are the protective caps at the end of your chromosomes. Think of them like those plastic coverings at the ends of your shoestrings. They protect your chromosomes from oxidation and other stressors. The longer the telomere, the younger the biological age of the cell. As cells age, the normal processes of life can cause the telomeres to shorten. The shorter the telomere, the shorter the remaining life (fewer replications of the cell before it dies). You want long telomeres.

Stress of all types can shorten telomeres.

Malnutrition of vital enzymes, fuels, and antioxidants can reduce their length. AGEs can shorten telomeres. Heavy metals, other exogenic substances, and influences from our environment can cause the telomeres to shorten with each cell replication. Chronic stress or even high-intensity episodic stress can severely damage telomeres, advance aging, and lead to disease and death. There is a strict limit to the number of times a cell may replicate. A phrase used to describe this function is the "Hayflick Limit."

The rate at which your telomeres shorten directly correlates to how much you age. Scientists view telomere length as a reliable marker for assessing biological age in light of chronological age. People who have shorter telomere length for the chronological age as their peers run a higher risk for disease and premature death as compared with their peers with longer telomeres. This risk can be as high as 3x the risk of dying of heart disease and 8x the risk of dying from an infectious disease as someone with average-sized structures for their age. It's of utmost importance to live well and with better health to keep your telomeres long.

Want help keeping your telomeres long? Reduce your stress! This book outlines optimizing your nutrition and health to reduce physical stress. Stay active and engaged. Staying active means getting actual exercise on a routine basis. It means adopting an integrative wellness approach to your daily living. In addition to the protocols already discussed in this book section, everyone can use these core practices to improve overall health, wellness, and vitality. You may seek these services from functional medicine practitioners, health coaches, or integrative well-being practitioners like me.

Here are my recommended innovative wellness practices to address the well-functioning of your mitochondria.

Red Light Therapy

Red light therapy (RLT) offers several potential benefits, though more research is needed to fully confirm its effectiveness. Here are some of the key benefits:

1. Skin Health: RLT is often used to improve skin appearance by reducing wrinkles, scars, redness, and acne. .

2. .

3. Pain Management: RLT may help alleviate pain and inflammation in arthritis, tendonitis, and muscle injuries.

4. Muscle Recovery: Athletes sometimes use RLT to enhance muscle recovery and reduce soreness after intense workouts.

5. Hair Growth: Some studies suggest that RLT can promote hair growth in people with androgenic alopecia (a common form of hair loss).

6. Mental Health: There is emerging evidence that RLT might help improve mood and reduce symptoms of depression.

Red light therapy, also known as photobiomodulation, offers several potential benefits. It is used to promote wound healing, lessen wrinkles and fine lines, improve skin health, and, in certain circumstances, ease pain. Low-level red or near-infrared light exposure is used as part of the treatment, which may increase the creation of collagen and enhance blood flow.

There are numerous examples of light-induced photochemical reactions in biological systems.

Our vision is based upon light interacting with photosensitive cells in our retinas called photoreceptors. When light is absorbed by these cells, a photochemical reaction occurs, converting light energy into electrical signals transmitted to the brain's visual processing centers. Vitamin D synthesis in our skin is another example of a photochemical reaction. When the ultraviolet B (UVB) wavelength in sunlight strikes our skin, it converts a universally present form of cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol, to vitamin D3. The adverse effects of the absence of light on the human body are also well known. Two examples include seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and lack of vitamin D production leading to rickets. (ASLMS)

Infrared Sauna

Infrared sauna therapy has gained popularity for its potential health benefits. Here are some of the key advantages:

1. Detoxification: Infrared saunas can help the body eliminate toxins through sweat, including heavy metals and environmental chemicals.

2. Improved Circulation: The heat from infrared saunas can enhance blood flow, which may help muscle recovery and cardiovascular health.

3. Pain Relief: Many people use infrared saunas to alleviate chronic pain, including arthritis and muscle soreness, due to the deep heat penetration.

4. Relaxation and Stress Reduction: The soothing heat can promote relaxation, reduce stress, and improve overall mental well-being.

5. Skin Health: Regular use of infrared saunas can improve skin tone and texture by increasing circulation and promoting collagen production

6. Weight Loss: Some studies suggest that infrared saunas can aid in weight loss by increasing heart rate and metabolic rate, similar to moderate exercise.

Full-body Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, which involves exposing the body to frigid temperatures for a few minutes, offers several potential benefits:

1. Pain Relief and Muscle Healing: Cryotherapy can help reduce muscle pain and speed up injury recovery. Athletes often use it to treat injuries and reduce muscle soreness1.

2. Reduced Inflammation: The cold temperatures can help decrease inflammation in the body, which can benefit conditions like arthritis.

3. Improved Mood: Exposure to cold can trigger the release of endorphins and other hormones, which can help improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

4. Enhanced Recovery: Cryotherapy can promote faster healing of athletic injuries by increasing blood circulation once the cold exposure ends.

5. Better Sleep: Some people find that cryotherapy helps improve their sleep quality.

6. Boosted Immune System: Regular cryotherapy sessions may help enhance immune system function.

7. Weight Loss: There are claims that cryotherapy can boost fat metabolism (lipolysis).

NAD+ Supplementation

NAD+ therapy, which involves administering nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), offers several potential benefits:

1. Boosts Energy Levels: NAD+ plays a crucial role in cellular energy production, helping to combat fatigue and increase overall energy.

2. Enhances Cognitive Function: It may improve mental clarity, focus, and memory by supporting brain cell health.

3. Supports Healthy Aging: NAD+ is involved in DNA repair and cellular regeneration, which can help slow the aging process.

4. Improves Metabolism: It aids in metabolizing carbohydrates, fats, and amino acids, potentially helping with weight management.

5. Promotes Cellular Health: NAD+ is essential for various cellular functions, including DNA repair and immune cell function.

6. Aids in Addiction Recovery: Some studies suggest that NAD+ therapy can help reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings, supporting addiction recovery.

NAD+ therapy involves administering Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD+) intravenously to boost its levels in the body. NAD+ is a crucial coenzyme found in every cell, playing a vital role in several cellular processes, including:

1. Energy Production: NAD+ is essential for converting nutrients into cellular energy (ATP) through cellular respiration1.

2. DNA Repair: It helps repair damaged DNA, crucial for maintaining cellular health and preventing age-related diseases1.

3. Cellular Communication: NAD+ is involved in signaling pathways that regulate various cellular functions.

As we age, NAD+ levels naturally decline, leading to decreased energy, increased DNA damage, and other health issues1. Refilling NAD+ levels through therapy is believed to support cellular function, enhance energy levels, and potentially slow down the aging process3.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF)

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy offers several potential benefits, such as using electromagnetic fields to stimulate healing and enhance overall wellness. Here are some key benefits:

1. Decreased Inflammation: It helps reduce inflammation and swelling, benefiting conditions like arthritis.

2. Improved Circulation: PEMF therapy can improve tissue oxygenation by enhancing blood flow, promoting faster healing and recovery.

3. Enhanced Cellular Repair: It stimulates cellular repair and regeneration, which can aid in the recovery of muscles, bones, and other tissues.

4. Better Sleep: PEMF therapy has been found to improve sleep quality by balancing the autonomic nervous system.

5. Boosted Immune System: It can strengthen the immune system, helping the body fight infections and diseases more effectively.

6. Improved Mood and Mental Health: Some studies suggest that PEMF therapy can help improve mood and cognitive function.

PEMF therapy is non-invasive and generally well-tolerated, making it a popular complementary treatment for various health conditions

Source: Aubrey De Gray, The Mitochondrial Free Radical Theory of Aging (1999) The SENS Research Foundation, Dave Asprey, Super Human (2019)

What Is Quantum Healing

by Marcus Robinson, Self-published (2025),

Quantum Healing is a thrilling and transformative approach to health that harnesses the incredible insights from Quantum Biology. This inspiring perspective encourages us to completely reevaluate our understanding of life, existence, and consciousness. Rooted in the groundbreaking ideas of Albert Einstein from 1904, it unveils a world of possibilities, deepening our comprehension of nature, our solar system, our bodies, and the very fabric of consciousness. Central to this innovative viewpoint are captivating concepts like wave-particle duality and the importance of energetic fields, which challenge the traditional view of matter as merely static particles.

At its essence, Quantum Healing is a joyful celebration of our personal power and infinite potential. It reveals that our physical world is not just a collection of passive elements; rather, it's a lively tapestry of interacting fields of energy, information, and consciousness. This shift in perspective forms the foundation for Quantum Biology, leading us to an exciting new understanding of health and wellness — aptly named Quantum Healing. It’s an empowering journey that puts you firmly in control of your well-being.

Let’s break it down: Your body is an incredible orchestration of energy fields and the information we receive from our Earth. It is designed to heal and regenerate itself constantly, ensuring that you can thrive at your healthiest. When you nourish your body with the right balance of Earth energy (through wholesome food and essential minerals), Air (oxygen and prana), Water (ionized H2O+), Fire (temperature and alkalinity), and Ether (the Earth's magnetic energy fields), you can reach a remarkable state of HyperWellness. In this vibrant state, age slows down, disease is kept at bay, and degeneration is minimized! By embracing these Five Essential Elements of Life, you empower yourself to live fully and rejuvenate continuously.

So, why do we sometimes experience illness? Contrary to popular belief that germs and toxins are the primary culprits of our ailments, Quantum Biology presents a different narrative. Health issues often arise when our body's energy levels, or cellular voltage, dip below the optimal threshold needed for natural healing. When this happens, harmful microbes and toxins can overwhelm our immune system, leading to sickness. But the good news is, preventing illness is within your reach! By making sure your body receives a consistent supply of the Five Elements—along with regular physical activity and enriching social connections—you take charge of your health. With this knowledge, you can live vibrantly and joyfully, without needing emergency interventions or frequent hospital visits.

Quantum Healing emphasizes the importance of boosting and maintaining optimal cellular voltage while cultivating a lifestyle enriched with the Five Essential Elements for life. By embracing these enlightening principles, you can proactively avoid or delay many of the leading causes of health issues, including diabetes, dementia, cardiovascular concerns, cancer, and even medical errors. This journey is not solely about dodging illness; it’s about welcoming a future filled with health, vitality, and longevity.

If you’re curious to learn more or are excited to explore ways to enhance your life, please feel free to reach out! I’m here to support you on your quest for a healthier, happier, and longer life. Let’s connect and unlock the incredible possibilities that await you together!

Suggested Reading:

Asprey, Dave. Super Human: The Bulletproof Plan to Age Backward and Maybe Even Live Forever. New York: HarperWave, 2019.

Chopra, Deepak. Quantum Healing: Exploring the Frontiers of Mind/Body Medicine. New York: Bantam Books, 1989.

Chopra, Deepak. Quantum Body: The New Science of Body, Mind, and Spirit. New York: Harmony Books, 2002.

Dispenza, Joe. Becoming Supernatural: How Common People Are Doing the Uncommon. Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2017.

Gerber, Richard. Vibrational Medicine: The #1 Handbook of Subtle-Energy Therapies. 2001.

McKusick, Eileen Day. Electric Body, Electric Health: How to Harness the Hidden Power of Your Body's Energy Systems. 2018.

Myers, Bryant. PEMF: The 5th Element of Health. Self-published, 2018.

Sloan, Mark. Red Light Therapy: A Practical Guide to the Science and Applications of Red Light Therapy in Wellness and Health. 2020.