title: Disease prevention and health promotion in the aging with a traditional system of natural medicine: Maharishi Vedic Medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This review focuses on a comprehensive, sophisticated system of natural medicine that appears to hold promise for prevention of chronic diseases and disabilities, loss of independence, suffering, and health care costs often associated with "usual" aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors discuss the negative impact of usual aging on our society, with its rapidly growing percentage of elderly, and the challenge of promoting "successful aging." Emphasis is given to research literature suggesting that Maharishi Vedic Medicine (MVM) is particularly effective in retarding usual aging.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Proposed mechanisms for the antiaging effects of MVM include reductions in physiological and psychological stress and enhancement of homeostatic and self-repair processes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors conclude that this set of innovative strategies may help society achieve recommended health objectives for disease prevention and health promotion in older adults and that widespread implementation of this self-empowering, prevention-oriented approach in the elderly is feasible, cost effective, and timely.
authors.affiliation: Center for Natural Medicine and Prevention, College of Maharishi Vedic Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Robert H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Charles N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: John W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Salerno
authors.forename: Donald K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Jeremy Z
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Fields
authors.forename: Sanford I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Nidich
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D017281:Cost of Illness; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D029001:Herbal Medicine; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000517:prevention & control; D019122:Meditation; D009482:Neurophysiology; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D015013:Yoga
chemical_list: D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D000975:Antioxidants