At 45, Kim Zipper, M.D., has the appearance of a much younger woman.

Infusing regular physical activity into her daily regimen, including wakeboarding, kitesurfing, snowboarding, running and cycling, Kim has always been proactive in maintaining her youthful appearance.

In her career as an anesthesiologist, she has witnessed the increasing incidences of obesity, hypertension, cardiac disease and diabetes. This led her to an interest in educating herself on the aging process of the female body and mind. Recently she achieved dual-certification in anti-aging medicine, a new specialty emerging in the health industry which helps women take preventive measures to preserve their youth.

National Health Review posed a few questions to Dr. Kim Zipper.

What is the trick to looking younger? Start small and begin early - at the first signs of aging. Remember that drastic changes always look drastic. Start making subtle changes before facial wrinkles are too deep to manage without a full face lift. Botox® and dermal fillers such as collagen and Restylane® are great options. By starting early, the onset of deep lines and wrinkles can be slowed down considerably.

What about feeling younger? The focus of conventional medicine is on treating diseases rather than preservation or prevention. Physicians are trained to keep women's hormones tuned to what is normal for their age. This means that if you ask your doctor to check your estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, growth hormone, thyroid or any other hormone level, you will only be treated if your results are abnormal for your age.

A 50 year-old-woman experiencing hot flashes, mood swings, sleep disturbances and weight gain would prefer to feel like she did when she was 30. This is exactly what anti-aging doctors do. We correct as many para-meters as possible to mimic those of our younger selves. This is one of the first steps to feeling younger.

What about estrogen? It depends on how you feel and what your hormone levels are. There are potential risks associated with supplementing any hormone. There have been many articles written in the popular press concerning these dangers. However, the benefits can be substantial, if prescribed and monitored correctly by a physician. The benefits of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone supplementation can include improved mood, increased libido, resolution of hot flashes, better cholesterol levels, decreased bone loss, decreased risk of heart disease, and weight loss (especially around the abdomen).

Patients need to be evaluated based on their individual risks to assess potential health benefits. Ultimately, this is a personal decision. For those who decide to take hormones, I recommend bio-identical hormones. Bio-identical hormones have the exact chemical structure as the ones naturally occurring in the body so they are easily recognized and metabolized.

You're in great physical shape. Is this possible for all aging women - and let's face it, we're all aging! Though we'd like to believe otherwise, the answer is yes - and it always comes down to the same two things: diet and exercise. Diet is even more important than exercise. Not only will a balanced diet help you get the best results from your exercise, it will improve your overall health. Every woman should consult an expert on nutrition and exercise to help create or manage a plan that is individually tailored to her needs.

I believe women should aim for a low glycemic (sugar) diet and be consistent with a tailored weight training and exercise program, with special regard for their present health and condition.

There are numerous nutraceuticals (supplements) that can really help in this battle. However, consumers should be cautioned that many of the supplements sold in stores, especially the inexpensive ones, may not contain everything they claim.

What else can women do to stay young? A healthy family life is important. Try to laugh every day. A fulfilling career or enjoyable hobbies are also very important. Spending active time outdoors instead of in front of a computer or television will not only improve your mood but will give you physiologic benefits such as Vitamin D production, lowered heart rate and blood pressure, decreased stress hormone production, an improved lipid profile, weight loss, decreased risk of diabetes, improved flexibility and prevention or improvement of osteoporosis.

Information compiled with assistance from Kim Zipper, M.D., certified by Cenegenics and The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine. Kim is the Director of the Fountain of You Anti-Aging Center in Melbourne. For more information, call (321) 574-5376.