The aging process in the human body is highly complex – and difficult to stop. A changed intestinal flora, aging cells, mutations in the genetic material and much more contribute to this. Science has identified a dozen signs of aging.
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12 Reasons Why We Age
Gray hair, wrinkled skin, unsteady gait. These are the signs that we – superficially – associate with the aging process. But there is much more behind the process. Aging takes place in every cell, in every tissue, in every organ.
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Gray hair, wrinkled skin, unsteady gait. These are the signs that we – superficially – associate with the aging process. But there is much more behind the process. Aging takes place in every cell, in every tissue, in every organ. It begins at an early age. From about the age of 20, the production of the alveoli decreases, the breathing volume decreases as a result, and the elasticity also decreases of the skin and wrinkles simply do not disappear anymore. After the age of 30, fertility decreases, the intervertebral discs thin and the muscles atrophy. From the mid-50s, body fat becomes a problem.
Are such processes irreversible? Or are there at best ways to slow down, stop or even reverse aging? These questions have been driving humanity for ages. It's no wonder that the subject of aging has been a hot topic of research in countless laboratories for many years. After all, whoever manages to find the elixir that slows down the aging process is not only guaranteed fame and honor, but also great profits.
That won't happen anytime soon. Because the processes involved in aging are extremely complex and affect all levels: in the molecules, in cells, tissues, organs and ultimately in the whole body. At the beginning of 2023, a team of researchers from Spain, France, Germany and Great Britain compiled the current state of knowledge on aging processes in a review article. They differentiate between twelve different processes or, as they write: «trademarks of aging». Some of these are solely responsible for certain signs of aging, but in many processes several of these hallmarks are involved. We have summarized the twelve reasons for aging.
Are such processes irreversible? Or are there at best ways to slow down, stop or even reverse aging? These questions have been driving humanity for ages. It's no wonder that the subject of aging has been a hot topic of research in countless laboratories for many years. After all, whoever manages to find the elixir that slows down the aging process is not only guaranteed fame and honor, but also great profits.
That won't happen anytime soon. Because the processes involved in aging are extremely complex and affect all levels: in the molecules, in cells, tissues, organs and ultimately in the whole body. At the beginning of 2023, a team of researchers from Spain, France, Germany and Great Britain compiled the current state of knowledge on aging processes in a review article. They differentiate between twelve different processes or, as they write: «trademarks of aging». Some of these are solely responsible for certain signs of aging, but in many processes several of these hallmarks are involved. We have summarized the twelve reasons for aging.
01) Disturbed Intestinal Flora
Various causes can contribute to overweight or obesity, but there is almost always one characteristic: a disturbed intestinal flora. The composition of the intestinal microbes changes with increasing age.
This is what happens:
The composition of the microorganisms in the intestine, the intestinal flora, plays an important role in a wide variety of processes that take place in our body: in digestion, in protection against pathogens, in the production of vital vitamins and other nutrients, but also in the exchange with the nervous system and other distant organs. A disturbed intestinal flora can contribute to various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or cancer. The composition of the intestinal flora changes with age, but there are only few indications as to which changes have a positive effect on health and the aging process and which have a negative effect. In general, a diverse intestinal flora is healthier than a monotonous one.
The composition of the microorganisms in the intestine, the intestinal flora, plays an important role in a wide variety of processes that take place in our body: in digestion, in protection against pathogens, in the production of vital vitamins and other nutrients, but also in the exchange with the nervous system and other distant organs. A disturbed intestinal flora can contribute to various health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases or cancer. The composition of the intestinal flora changes with age, but there are only few indications as to which changes have a positive effect on health and the aging process and which have a negative effect. In general, a diverse intestinal flora is healthier than a monotonous one.
02) Altered Cell Communication
Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
is a rare inherited heart disease in which the muscles in the left ventricle thicken and stiffen. It is just one of many diseases in which communication between cells, tissues and organs is disrupted. This communication also deteriorates with age.
This is what happens: In our body, the organs, tissues and cells are in constant exchange with each other. They communicate with the help of hormones, other messenger substances and via the nervous system, over short or long distances. With increasing age, this communication is disturbed by more and more "noise" and thus disturbs the physiological balance more and more.
is a rare inherited heart disease in which the muscles in the left ventricle thicken and stiffen. It is just one of many diseases in which communication between cells, tissues and organs is disrupted. This communication also deteriorates with age.
This is what happens: In our body, the organs, tissues and cells are in constant exchange with each other. They communicate with the help of hormones, other messenger substances and via the nervous system, over short or long distances. With increasing age, this communication is disturbed by more and more "noise" and thus disturbs the physiological balance more and more.
This could be done to counteract this:
there are a large number of messenger substances in the blood that are associated with faster aging on the one hand, and on the other hand there are also many molecules that counteract aging, i.e. are potential anti-aging substances . Researchers are trying to convert these findings into therapies by either blocking pro-aging substances or, conversely, promoting anti-aging substances. However, the first clinical trials were rather disappointing.
there are a large number of messenger substances in the blood that are associated with faster aging on the one hand, and on the other hand there are also many molecules that counteract aging, i.e. are potential anti-aging substances . Researchers are trying to convert these findings into therapies by either blocking pro-aging substances or, conversely, promoting anti-aging substances. However, the first clinical trials were rather disappointing.
03) Deregulated Food Sensors
Diabetes patients suffer from a disturbed sugar metabolism, they either produce too little insulin or the body cannot use this hormone properly. This is due to a disturbed network of food sensors, which always gets out of step with age.
This is what happens:
Our body uses a sophisticated, complicated network of hormones, proteins and receptors with which it can recognize the nutrients it has taken in – for example glucose – and react to them with the appropriate metabolism. However, the insidious, sometimes harmful changes that occur with increasing age are only just beginning to be understood. For example, it is known that high levels of the food-responsive growth hormone IGF-1, while beneficial when young, increase the risk of premature death, dementia, diabetes and other diseases in old age.
This is what happens:
Our body uses a sophisticated, complicated network of hormones, proteins and receptors with which it can recognize the nutrients it has taken in – for example glucose – and react to them with the appropriate metabolism. However, the insidious, sometimes harmful changes that occur with increasing age are only just beginning to be understood. For example, it is known that high levels of the food-responsive growth hormone IGF-1, while beneficial when young, increase the risk of premature death, dementia, diabetes and other diseases in old age.
04) Chronic Inflammation
Osteoarthritis, hardening of the arteries, herniated disc:
All of these “sicknesses of old age” are associated with inflammatory processes.
This is what happens:
With aging, inflammatory processes increase throughout the body and can even become chronic. Signs of this are increased levels of inflammatory messenger substances, so-called cytokines, in the blood, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). The consequences of this smoldering fire are manifold: arteriosclerosis, nerve inflammation, osteoarthritis (arthrosis) or the degeneration of intervertebral discs are among them. The chronic inflammation is closely linked to all other hallmarks of aging and therefore has many different causes.
This is what you could do about it:
The most obvious thing would be to take anti-inflammatory drugs as a preventive measure. But that's not a good idea, because all of these drugs sometimes have serious side effects - especially if you take them for a long time. These include bleeding, ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract or kidney problems. A large clinical study that investigated whether aspirin was useful in preventing cardiovascular disease in people over 70 failed: no benefit, but more bleeding.
All of these “sicknesses of old age” are associated with inflammatory processes.
This is what happens:
With aging, inflammatory processes increase throughout the body and can even become chronic. Signs of this are increased levels of inflammatory messenger substances, so-called cytokines, in the blood, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). The consequences of this smoldering fire are manifold: arteriosclerosis, nerve inflammation, osteoarthritis (arthrosis) or the degeneration of intervertebral discs are among them. The chronic inflammation is closely linked to all other hallmarks of aging and therefore has many different causes.
This is what you could do about it:
The most obvious thing would be to take anti-inflammatory drugs as a preventive measure. But that's not a good idea, because all of these drugs sometimes have serious side effects - especially if you take them for a long time. These include bleeding, ulcers in the gastrointestinal tract or kidney problems. A large clinical study that investigated whether aspirin was useful in preventing cardiovascular disease in people over 70 failed: no benefit, but more bleeding.
05) Exhausted Stem Cells
What do gray hair and wounds have in common? Exhausted stem cells! With increasing age, hair lacks the stem cells that can develop into melanocytes, i.e. the cells that give the hair its color. Stem cells are needed for the wounds to heal, and this process slows down with age.
This is what happens:
with age, tissue is not only less able to regenerate, healing after injuries is also increasingly slower. This has to do with the fact that the various reservoirs of stem cells in the body thin out with the aging process. Although normal body cells can develop back into tissue-specific stem cells in the event of an injury, thus rejuvenating and repairing the damaged tissue, this ability decreases more and more with age.
Here's what you could do about it:
Researchers primarily rely on the concept of "induced pluripotent stem cells" (iPS cells). With a genetic engineering trick, they can convert ordinary skin cells (for example) back into stem cells. In experiments with mice, the concept of reprogramming works in different tissues such as the heart, liver, muscles, skin or eye. A number of small clinical trials with heart muscle cells obtained from iPS cells are already being carried out worldwide in patients with heart muscle weakness.
with age, tissue is not only less able to regenerate, healing after injuries is also increasingly slower. This has to do with the fact that the various reservoirs of stem cells in the body thin out with the aging process. Although normal body cells can develop back into tissue-specific stem cells in the event of an injury, thus rejuvenating and repairing the damaged tissue, this ability decreases more and more with age.
Here's what you could do about it:
Researchers primarily rely on the concept of "induced pluripotent stem cells" (iPS cells). With a genetic engineering trick, they can convert ordinary skin cells (for example) back into stem cells. In experiments with mice, the concept of reprogramming works in different tissues such as the heart, liver, muscles, skin or eye. A number of small clinical trials with heart muscle cells obtained from iPS cells are already being carried out worldwide in patients with heart muscle weakness.
06) Aging Cells
Birthmarks on the skin, wrinkles on the face
– these external signs of aging arise because cells have withdrawn from their actual task but do not die.
This is what happens:
when cells are in danger, for example due to harmful mutations or severely shortened telomeres, they have two options: they can choose the route of programmed cell death or they can become so-called aging cells. The latter have stopped dividing and can therefore not degenerate into cancer cells - a measure that makes sense. Normally, aging cells call on the immune system to eliminate itself and repair damaged tissue. But with increasing age, this process fails, and the aging cells accumulate in the tissue. There they secrete a cocktail of substances with which they bombard their environment and cause long-term damage – including, for example, substances that promote inflammation and tissue changes such as fibrosis. Aging cells are found in many different tissues, not just moles and skin folds.
– these external signs of aging arise because cells have withdrawn from their actual task but do not die.
This is what happens:
when cells are in danger, for example due to harmful mutations or severely shortened telomeres, they have two options: they can choose the route of programmed cell death or they can become so-called aging cells. The latter have stopped dividing and can therefore not degenerate into cancer cells - a measure that makes sense. Normally, aging cells call on the immune system to eliminate itself and repair damaged tissue. But with increasing age, this process fails, and the aging cells accumulate in the tissue. There they secrete a cocktail of substances with which they bombard their environment and cause long-term damage – including, for example, substances that promote inflammation and tissue changes such as fibrosis. Aging cells are found in many different tissues, not just moles and skin folds.
Here's what you could do about it:
the aging cells that accumulate over time are associated with a number of diseases: pulmonary fibrosis, fatty liver, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Researchers and biotech companies around the world are therefore working on possible therapies to take the excess aging cells out of circulation. Some potential active substances have already been successful in mice, the rodents stayed healthy longer and lived longer. However, there is still a problem when it comes to transferring it to humans, even though some clinical trials are already underway or are planned.
the aging cells that accumulate over time are associated with a number of diseases: pulmonary fibrosis, fatty liver, diabetes, arteriosclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Researchers and biotech companies around the world are therefore working on possible therapies to take the excess aging cells out of circulation. Some potential active substances have already been successful in mice, the rodents stayed healthy longer and lived longer. However, there is still a problem when it comes to transferring it to humans, even though some clinical trials are already underway or are planned.
07) Dysfunctional Power Plants
Muscular Dystrophy can have many causes:
inactivity, diabetes, cancer, kidney failure - and old age. What they all have in common is that the mitochondria, the cells' power plants, no longer function properly.
inactivity, diabetes, cancer, kidney failure - and old age. What they all have in common is that the mitochondria, the cells' power plants, no longer function properly.
This is what happens:
The mitochondria provide the cells with the energy they need. Their function progressively deteriorates over the years, due to mutations in the genome of the mitochondria, but also other mechanisms. Dysfunctional mitochondria are partly responsible for a whole range of diseases.
Here's what you could do about it:
Animal experiments with mice, flies or nematodes showed that various substances can improve the function of the mitochondria. These include the peptide “Elamipretide” or the mitochondrial proteins humanin and MOTS-c.
Two other substances currently show more promise in humans: the dietary supplement L-carnitine and the well-known diabetes drug metformin. In a small clinical trial, the intake of L-carnitine in older men improved certain functions of the mitochondria. And metformin is almost said to be miraculous. The drug is said to have a positive effect on several hallmarks of aging, including weakening mitochondria. A large clinical trial in the USA is now intended to answer the question of whether metformin can actually delay the aging process somewhat.
The mitochondria provide the cells with the energy they need. Their function progressively deteriorates over the years, due to mutations in the genome of the mitochondria, but also other mechanisms. Dysfunctional mitochondria are partly responsible for a whole range of diseases.
Here's what you could do about it:
Animal experiments with mice, flies or nematodes showed that various substances can improve the function of the mitochondria. These include the peptide “Elamipretide” or the mitochondrial proteins humanin and MOTS-c.
Two other substances currently show more promise in humans: the dietary supplement L-carnitine and the well-known diabetes drug metformin. In a small clinical trial, the intake of L-carnitine in older men improved certain functions of the mitochondria. And metformin is almost said to be miraculous. The drug is said to have a positive effect on several hallmarks of aging, including weakening mitochondria. A large clinical trial in the USA is now intended to answer the question of whether metformin can actually delay the aging process somewhat.
08) Weak Recycling
Anyone who is overweight, hardly moves and eats poorly has an increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) – the most common liver disease, of course. This can happen when the cellular recycling process slacks with age.
This is what happens:
Our cells have a sophisticated recycling system. This selectively removes incorrectly folded proteins, other faulty molecules and even defective cell organelles such as mitochondria (the cells' power plants) from circulation. The defective structures are digested in special “recycling workshops” (autophagosomes). This recycling process is called “autophagy”, which roughly translates to “self-consumption”.
Here's what you could do about it:
Cellular recycling becomes less and less efficient with age. As is known from experiments with flies or mice, certain active substances can boost the autophagy process and thus promote healthy aging. Some substances have already been tested on humans in clinical trials, including urolithin A, which is obtained from intestinal microbes. It was known from animal experiments that this substance drives the autophagy of defective mitochondria. And indeed: In the clinical trial, the substance improved, among other things, the muscular strength of the subjects. However, it has not yet been proven whether urolithin A and other substances with a similar effect such as nicotinamide or tryptophan actually prolong life, although these substances are sometimes advertised as such on the Internet.
Our cells have a sophisticated recycling system. This selectively removes incorrectly folded proteins, other faulty molecules and even defective cell organelles such as mitochondria (the cells' power plants) from circulation. The defective structures are digested in special “recycling workshops” (autophagosomes). This recycling process is called “autophagy”, which roughly translates to “self-consumption”.
Here's what you could do about it:
Cellular recycling becomes less and less efficient with age. As is known from experiments with flies or mice, certain active substances can boost the autophagy process and thus promote healthy aging. Some substances have already been tested on humans in clinical trials, including urolithin A, which is obtained from intestinal microbes. It was known from animal experiments that this substance drives the autophagy of defective mitochondria. And indeed: In the clinical trial, the substance improved, among other things, the muscular strength of the subjects. However, it has not yet been proven whether urolithin A and other substances with a similar effect such as nicotinamide or tryptophan actually prolong life, although these substances are sometimes advertised as such on the Internet.
09) Loss of Protein Self-Regulation
This is what happens:
The proteins are the workhorses in our body. In order for these to function properly, a large network of processes is required to ensure that the proteins are produced in the right quantities and folded correctly. This is called homeostasis or self-regulation. If this self-regulation no longer works, for example, incorrectly folded proteins can stick together and cells die - as is the case, for example, with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This could be done to counteract this:
If self-regulation works, then defective proteins in the cells are marked, disposed of and recycled. One idea is therefore to strengthen this recycling process with medication. Irrespective of this, researchers were able to show in a study with 200 patients suffering from the degenerative disease ALS that an antihypertensive drug called guanabenz can slow down the progression of the deadly disease - possibly by strengthening protein self-regulation.
The proteins are the workhorses in our body. In order for these to function properly, a large network of processes is required to ensure that the proteins are produced in the right quantities and folded correctly. This is called homeostasis or self-regulation. If this self-regulation no longer works, for example, incorrectly folded proteins can stick together and cells die - as is the case, for example, with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
This could be done to counteract this:
If self-regulation works, then defective proteins in the cells are marked, disposed of and recycled. One idea is therefore to strengthen this recycling process with medication. Irrespective of this, researchers were able to show in a study with 200 patients suffering from the degenerative disease ALS that an antihypertensive drug called guanabenz can slow down the progression of the deadly disease - possibly by strengthening protein self-regulation.
10) Epigenetic Changes
When the bones become brittle with age and break more easily, they suffer of osteoporosis. So-called epigenetic changes are partly responsible for this.
This is what happens:
Not only mutations in the genome itself, but also changes in the three-dimensional structure of the genome can influence the aging process. These include chemical “markings” at certain points in the genome (“DNA methylation”), which can increase or decrease with age, depending on the location in the genome. The German-American geneticist Steve Horvath from Altos Labs in San Diego developed an “epigenetic clock” from this, which can use these changes to determine the biological age fairly precisely. Other epigenetic changes affect the structure of the proteins in which the genome threads are packaged (“histones”); these modifications can also accelerate – or slow down – the aging process.
This is what happens:
Not only mutations in the genome itself, but also changes in the three-dimensional structure of the genome can influence the aging process. These include chemical “markings” at certain points in the genome (“DNA methylation”), which can increase or decrease with age, depending on the location in the genome. The German-American geneticist Steve Horvath from Altos Labs in San Diego developed an “epigenetic clock” from this, which can use these changes to determine the biological age fairly precisely. Other epigenetic changes affect the structure of the proteins in which the genome threads are packaged (“histones”); these modifications can also accelerate – or slow down – the aging process.
11) Telomere Shrinkage
Pulmonary Fibrosis is a rare, often fatal condition in which lung tissue becomes scarred and hard, and breathing becomes increasingly difficult. The disease usually occurs between the ages of 50 and 70. The exact cause is usually unknown, but in some cases a process called "telomere shrinkage" can contribute.
This is what happens:
The telomeres are a kind of protective cap at the end of the chromosomes (genetic threads). With each cell division, they become a little shorter, which increasingly destabilizes the genetic material (genome) after a few dozen cell divisions. Although there is an endogenous protein, the «telomerase» , which could lengthen nibbled telomeres again, this enzyme is missing in most cells of mammals, including humans. Ultimately, the continuous shrinkage of the telomeres leads to the cells either dying off ("programmed cell death") or being converted into so-called → aging cells.
This is what happens:
The telomeres are a kind of protective cap at the end of the chromosomes (genetic threads). With each cell division, they become a little shorter, which increasingly destabilizes the genetic material (genome) after a few dozen cell divisions. Although there is an endogenous protein, the «telomerase» , which could lengthen nibbled telomeres again, this enzyme is missing in most cells of mammals, including humans. Ultimately, the continuous shrinkage of the telomeres leads to the cells either dying off ("programmed cell death") or being converted into so-called → aging cells.
12) Instability of the Genome
This is what happens:
Our genome is constantly exposed to dangers – be it from substances in food or from the environment, or from errors in copying the DNA during cell division. The cells go to great lengths to quickly repair any damage. Nevertheless, countless mutations accumulate over the years. As a result, cells are no longer able to do their jobs and ultimately entire tissues are affected - or the cells can degenerate and tumors or cancerous growths can develop.
Our genome is constantly exposed to dangers – be it from substances in food or from the environment, or from errors in copying the DNA during cell division. The cells go to great lengths to quickly repair any damage. Nevertheless, countless mutations accumulate over the years. As a result, cells are no longer able to do their jobs and ultimately entire tissues are affected - or the cells can degenerate and tumors or cancerous growths can develop.
The definition of Health Science is the study of the well-being, health, or medical care for human beings or those who are sick or unhealthy. Those who study and work in the health sciences field learn skills and fundamentals for taking care of people in a wide range of medical specialties.
World Health Organization
⭐Deliberately Delaying the Effects of Aging⭐
Adopting healthy habits and behaviors, staying involved in your community, using preventive services, managing health conditions, and understanding all your medications can contribute to a productive and meaningful life, Deliberately Delaying the Effects of Aging .
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VIDEO: The Science of Healthy Aging
Healthy Aging is about creating the environments and opportunities that enable people to be and do what they value throughout their lives.
Everybody can experience Healthy Aging.
Being free of disease or infirmity is not a requirement for Healthy Aging as many older adults have one or more health conditions that, when well controlled, have little influence on their wellbeing.
Everybody can experience Healthy Aging.
Being free of disease or infirmity is not a requirement for Healthy Aging as many older adults have one or more health conditions that, when well controlled, have little influence on their wellbeing.
Maintaining the Functional Ability
WHO defines Healthy Aging “as the process of developing and maintaining the functional ability that enables wellbeing in older age”. Functional ability is about having the capabilities that enable all people to be and do what they have reason to value. This includes a person’s ability to:
> meet their basic needs;
> to learn, grow and make decisions;
> to be mobile;
> to build and maintain relationships; and
> to contribute to society.
> meet their basic needs;
> to learn, grow and make decisions;
> to be mobile;
> to build and maintain relationships; and
> to contribute to society.
💥 Take Care of Yourself
Self-Care means taking the time to do things that help you live well and improve both your physical health and mental health
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The goal is to ensures short and long term vitality & health and to get a physical body that is strong, flexible and fit through each stage of our lifes.
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