Overview
The study of aging - gerontology - is a relatively new science that has made incredible progress over the last 30 years. In the past, scientists looked for a single theory that explained aging. There are two main groups of aging theories. The first group states that aging is natural and programmed into the body, while the second group of aging theories say that aging is a result of damage which is accumulated over time. In the end, aging is a complex interaction of genetics, chemistry, physiology and behavior.
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Theories of Aging
By understanding and describing how we age, researchers have developed several different theories of aging. The two categories are: programmed theories and error theories.
- Programmed Theories assert that the human body is designed to age and there is a certain biological timeline that our bodies follow.
- Programmed Longevity: Aging is caused by certain genes switching on and off over time.
- Endocrine Theory: Changes in hormones control aging.
- Immunological Theory: The immune system is programmed to decline over time, leaving people more susceptible to diseases.
- Error Theories assert that aging is caused by environmental damage to our body's systems, which accumulates over time.
- Wear and Tear: Cells and tissues simply wear out.
- Rates of Living: The faster an organism uses oxygen, the shorter it lives.
- Cross-Linking: Cross-linked proteins accumulate and slow down body processes.
- Free Radicals: Free radicals cause damage to cells that eventually impairs function.
- Somatic DNA Damage: Genetic mutations cause cells to malfunction.
Genetics and Aging
Studies have demonstrated that genetics can play a major role in aging. When researchers adjust the genes in certain mice, yeast cells and other organisms, they can almost double the lifespan of these creatures. The meaning of these experiments for people is not known, but researchers think that genetics account for up to 35 percent of the variation in aging among people. Some key concepts in genetics and aging include:
- Longevity Genes: There are specific genes which help a person live longer.
- Cell Senescence: The process by which cells deteriorate over time.
- Telomeres: Structures on the end of DNA that eventually are depleted, resulting in cells ceasing to replicate.
- Stem Cells: These cells can become any type of cell in the body and hold promise to repair damage caused by aging.
Biochemistry
No matter what genes you have inherited, your body is continually undergoing complex biochemical reactions. Some of these reactions cause damage and, ultimately, aging in the body. Studying these complex reactions is helping researchers understand how the body changes as it ages. Important concepts in the biochemistry of aging include:
- Free Radicals: Unstable oxygen molecules which can damage cells.
- Protein Cross-Linking: Excess sugars in the blood stream can cause protein molecules to literally stick together.
- DNA Repair: For an unknown reasons, the systems in the body to repair DNA seem to become less effective in older people.
- Heat Shock Proteins: These proteins help cells survive stress and are present in fewer numbers in older people.
- Hormones: The body's hormones change as we age, causing many shifts in organ systems and other functions.
Body Systems
As we age, our body's organs and other systems make changes. These changes alter our susceptibility to various diseases. Researchers are just beginning to understand the processes that cause changes over time in our body systems. Understanding these processes is important because many of the effects of aging are first noticed in our body systems. Here is a brief overview of how some body systems age:- Heart Aging: The heart muscle thickens with age as a response to the thickening of the arteries. This thicker heart has a lower maximum pumping rate.
- Immune System Aging: T cells take longer to replenish in older people and their ability to function declines.
- Arteries and Aging: Arteries usually to stiffen with age, making it more difficult for the heart to pump blood through them.
- Lung Aging: The maximum capacity of the lungs may decrease as much as 40 percent between ages 20 and 70.
- Brain Aging: As the brain ages, some of the connections between neurons seem to be reduced or less efficient. This is not yet well understood.
- Kidney Aging: The kidneys become less efficient at cleaning waste from the body.
- Bladder Aging: The total capacity of the bladder declines and tissues may atrophy, causing incontinence.
- Body Fat and Aging: Body fat increases until middle age and then weight typically begins to decrease. The body fat also moves deeper in the body as we age.
- Muscle Aging: Muscle tone declines about 22 percent by age 70, though exercise can slow this decline.
- Bone Aging: Starting at age 35, our bones begin to lose density. Walking, running and resistance training can slow this process.
- Sight and Aging: Starting in the 40s, difficulty seeing close detail may begin.
- Hearing and Aging: As people age, the ability to hear high frequencies declines.
Behavioral Factors
The good news is that many of these causes of aging can be modified through your behaviors:
- By eating foods loaded with antioxidants, you can minimize damage caused by free radicals.
- By exercising, you can limit bone and muscle loss.
- By keeping your cholesterol low, you can slow the hardening of your arteries and protect your heart.
- By practicing mental fitness, you can keep your brain sharp.
Lifestyle factors have also been shown to extend life. Rats and mice on a calorie restricted diet (30 percent fewer daily calories) live up to 40 percent longer. Positive thinking has also been shown to extend life in people by up to 7.5 years.
Source:
Aging Under the Microscope; National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Aging.
