Our body is inexorably changing over the years, no matter how deeply we understand these processes. What are the true reasons for the degradation of the body and how to slow down the aging process?
What is aging?
With age, fertility and immune system function decrease, while susceptibility to disease, on the contrary, increases. Cells and tissues work worse and worse, and organs do not cope with their functions as efficiently.
The question of what exactly happens during aging is actually not so straightforward. Scientists believe that over time, damaged cellular elements (DNA and mitochondria) accumulate in the body. This interferes with the normal functioning of cells and they “age”.
When too damaged, they can self-destruct through apoptosis, a regulated process of cell death. Otherwise, our body can keep them in an “abnormal” state, which, among other things, leads to cancer. There are some natural tonics for anti-aging like Manuka honey and its properties are quite amazing.
Thirdly, exhausted, “aging” cells cease to reproduce and perform their usual functions. So they become an additional burden for neighboring cells due to the secretion of toxic substances that cause inflammation in the tissues.
The body tries to get rid of these non-functioning cells as soon as possible thanks to the immune system. But, unfortunately, it weakens with age.
This is the most general understanding of the mechanisms of aging that most scientists agree with today.
What happens in the body during aging?
The effects of aging are reflected in our appearance, but this is only a consequence of serious internal changes that occur with age. How soon they appear depends largely on a person’s genetics and lifestyle.
So, let’s highlight the main external signs of aging:
- “Shortening” and curvature of the silhouette. The intervertebral discs become dehydrated and thinner – we become shorter. In some cases, joints can become deformed due to wear and tear on the cartilage. The silhouette takes on a curved, so-called “ski” pose – the shoulders are directed forward, the back and knees are slightly bent. For comparison, the figure of young people is distinguished by a straight back and an open chest.
- Reduction of muscle volume. With age, muscle mass decreases (sarcopenia) – it is gradually replaced by fat. Large muscles (buttocks, thighs, shoulders) are especially affected. Together with them, a person loses strength and endurance.
- Deterioration of the quality of the skin. Already after 40 years, the production of collagen and elastin sharply slow down, as a result, the skin becomes more flabby. So, after 25 years, collagen production decreases by 1% per year. Thus, at 50 years in our body, it becomes half as much as at 20 years. In addition, the so-called “senile” pigmentation appears – brown spots. Sebum production is also reduced and the skin becomes drier. All-natural Dermal Repair Complex diminishes the appearance of wrinkles and skin dullness as it prevents the breakdown of the collagen and elastin giving skin its texture, structure, and youthfulness.
- Changes in hair color and structure. They become drier and more porous. In addition, gray hair progresses – due to the fact that the color-producing pigments (melanocytes) no longer work properly.
- Changes in facial features. First, it loses its volume, and the tissues begin to “sag” (ptosis). Secondly, existing wrinkles deepen and new ones form. Thirdly, the lips become thinner, and the nose, on the contrary, is thicker and longer. In addition, teeth wear out and the dental mass loses its volume. As a result, the smile “falls” downward, exposing the lower teeth more.
Factors Affecting Human Aging
It has been scientifically proven that old age is a disease that can and should be treated. The fact is that if you level out the effects of aging factors, you can significantly extend a person’s life, and most importantly, improve its quality, strengthening health.
So what are we getting old from?
- Oxidative stress. Just like a piece of metal that rusts over time, our tissues oxidize. It is the result of normal internal combustion of energy and metabolic reactions that generate free radicals. Oxidation or oxidative stress is inextricably linked with the occurrence of “age-related” diseases.
- Decreased protein quality. As we age, our cells can produce “irregular” shaped proteins that quickly become inoperative. At the same time, proteins are the elements that structure the whole body and our DNA. They form enzymes and hormones. In the process of aging of the body, the process of glycation of proteins comes to the fore – when they combine with glucose molecules. As a result, the tissues of the body lose elasticity and become stiff, and intercellular exchange and cell nutrition slow down.
- Telomere shortening. Telomeres are a kind of protective cover at the ends of chromosomes. In the process of cell division, that is, with age, their size decreases. Telomere length is rather not a factor of aging, but rather its marker. Their significant shortening is associated not only with age but also with poor immune defenses, degenerative diseases, and constant stress.
- Deterioration of mitochondrial function. Mitochondria are organs in our cells that play an important role in generating energy for their function. These unique “cauldrons” constantly burn nutrients and oxygen. As a result of this “burning”, a large amount of free radicals is generated. And their excess can damage mitochondria, cell DNA, its membrane, and other elements. If mitochondria continue to deteriorate as a result of intense oxidation, the cell will be forced to self-destruct through apoptosis. Or it will turn into an aging cell – just such cells disrupt the normal functioning of tissues.
- Cell and DNA replication errors. Our DNA is also destroyed daily by environmental factors. Every day, 1,000 to 1,000,000 damage occurs per cell. Many genes are involved in DNA repair that affects a person’s lifespan. Our cells already have a built-in “error correction system”. However, if they accumulate too much, this ultimately leads to disruption of the functioning of cells, their degeneration, and death.
- Methylation disorder. This is the most important biochemical process, which is of great importance for DNA synthesis, turning on and off “bad” genes in the cell, detoxification, and metabolism. Whether methylation is balanced depends on whether hereditary diseases “turn on” at a certain moment or not disturb a person for the rest of his life. With the help of methylation, the body gets rid of toxic heavy metals (mercury, lead, arsenic). If it is violated, these toxic elements continue to accumulate, disrupting many functions of the body. Scientists believe that decreased methylation is correlated with aging and many degenerative diseases.
- Depletion of stem cells. Their uniqueness lies in the ability to divide, giving rise to new cells specific to a particular organ. Stem cells are present in the tissues of our body in small quantities. And with age, their number decreases. Hence, the slowing down of cell renewal and less efficient work of organs.
- Accumulation of toxins. Even if we do not take into account the toxic substances that enter the body from the outside, metabolic residues accumulate in our cells, which interfere with their normal functioning. Speech, in particular, about lipofuscin is a protein breakdown product. Cells cannot digest it to the end and for a long time it cannot be “neutralized”. Intracellular lipofuscin deposition increases with age in many tissues. It is involved in the formation of dark spots on aging skin and can cause heart and brain disease. Thus, lipofuscin is found in large quantities in brain cells in Alzheimer’s disease. This toxic protein accumulates in the extracellular space, slowing down the absorption of nutrients and detoxification processes.
Diagnostics and prevention of aging
Is your health condition appropriate for your age, and how can you prevent serious illnesses and alleviate those already acquired? Anti-aging medicine answers these questions. For example, an anti-age doctor may order a blood test for homocysteine ??to see if the patient is doing well with methylation.
And biological markers of chronic inflammation look like this:
- C-reactive protein;
- fibrinogen;
- ESR;
- ferritin and transferrin (indicators of iron levels);
- Albumin.
These are also blood tests that can be taken in almost any laboratory.
Another indicator of the intensity of aging processes is glycation. To determine if everything is in order, the doctor may prescribe the following tests:
- glycated hemoglobin;
- HOMA index.
However, specific studies to diagnose age-related changes can only be prescribed by an anti-aging medicine doctor. Moreover, the approach to each patient is personalized.
To slow down the aging process, you must:
- Establish sleep patterns. Go to bed no later than 22-23 hours and get up before 8 in the morning. This is the optimal interval for the body to have time to recover, and melatonin, on which the balance of hormones depends, would work as efficiently as possible.
- Reduce stress levels. And in healthy ways – for example, through physical activity. And cut back on caffeine, which only boosts the production of the stress hormone cortisol, which is damaging to your health.
- Avoid factors that increase the production of free radicals: excess UV rays, alcohol, tobacco, toxins, electromagnetic fields, physical or mental fatigue.
- Identify deficiencies of vitamins and minerals and start replenishing them with nutrition and quality supplements. This will help normalize the most important biochemical processes in the body and “postpone” old age.
- Do sport. Regular exercise helps fight chronic inflammation and, of course, allows you to maintain muscle mass and strength for as long as possible.
- Cut back on animal protein. Its excess “loosens” the methylation process.
- Optimize your diet. It is advisable to follow the so-called Mediterranean or alkaline diet. They reduce the level of chronic inflammation and acidification of the body.
- Do not get carried away with botox and use safe cosmetic techniques. For example, thread rejuvenation. It starts the regeneration processes from within and slows down the aging of the face.
- Activate autophagy. This is one way to remove damaged mitochondria. In fact, this is a real cellular rejuvenation. Regeneration processes can be accelerated, for example, with the help of intermittent fasting – any of its variants.
- Think positively. Science has proven that our emotions can affect physical and mental health. The fact is that they are closely related to cellular phenomena of a biophysical or biochemical nature (hormones, neurotransmitters, immune molecules). Researchers believe that emotions are triggered by certain neurotransmitters that “turn on” or “turn off” genes. Thus, thoughts directly affect the entire physiology of the body.
While these recommendations may seem simple, they can actually slow down the aging process of the body. After all, behind each of these points, there is a serious scientific base.