Anti-Aging Medicine

A Preventive Anti-Aging Medicine

Aging process - factors and effects

The anatomical and physiological changes associated with old age begins several years before the appearance of outward signs. Many of these changes begin to occur gradually from forty years and continue until death, which is to say until the body can no longer adapt. Physiologically, the process of aging causes a decline in organ function and tissue aging and the general appearance of the body.

The "program" of aging is probably run by endocrine hormones, and some neurotransmitters act on targeted organs. Finally the cell is genetically programmed and this programming could be compared to a life clock. Thus a turtle would be programmed for 100 years, a monkey for 20 to 25 years and men for 120 years. But that life expectancy is compromised by genetic alteration or by a malfunctioning biological or enzymatic cell.

"Old age is inevitable and this natural period of life is characterized by a decline in physical function, a loss of social role as an adult, and changes in physical appearance and a gradual movement towards a decrease in capacity" (BRMishara, RG Riegel, Aging, Presses Universitaires de France, Paris, 1984).

The cells that compose our bodies are constantly renewed. The human body produces daily 300 billion cells. Aging is associated with an imbalance between the degradation process and the reconstruction process. This imbalance affects particular organs producing hormones, substances that affect all body functions. An anti-aging approach especially targets the root cause of aging: the gradual degeneration. In other words, if you replace daily 300 billion cells by cells stronger and healthier, you will experience a true biological rejuvenation. However, it is not an isolated action. You must reproduce the phenomenon, day after day.

Factors of Aging

Among the key factors of aging can be found: the production of free radicals that oxidize the body, producing oxidative stress, the major aging process ; protein glycation (sugar) and some genetic factors (decrease of telomeres, replication error). Some environmental factors are part of the process to attack the body and thus accelerate the aging: unbalanced diet, sun exposure, pollution, tobacco, alcohol, stress, lack of exercise, lack of sleep...

Many researchers have conducted extensive research and have demonstrated that the secretion of several hormones such as growth hormone, melatonin, testosterone and androgens, DHEA, thyroxin, decrease steadily after 40 years. This decrease in hormone secretion carries with it a decrease in mass and muscle strength and physical performance, sexual and intellectual activities. This deterioration in hormone balance may produce weight gain and increase incidence of cardiovascular disease and other pathologies.

In reality, aging is the result of an ongoing struggle between the maintenance systems of our body and some processes that tend to alter and to degrade it. This balance is also influenced by genetic factors (decrease of telomeres, replication error), individual energy and environmental requirements, and the fact that each individual has his own genetic 'map', which makes it more or less sensitive to environmental stress...

The effects of aging

Normal aging causes a gradual decrease in each of our functions (both physical and intellectual and psychological). Some of these effects;

- External Changes: Hairs turns grey and sometimes fall, skin wrinkles, thins and becomes less flexible, the height decreases leading to a loss of a few centimetres at the age of 80 years, as the spinal column curves and flattened and the muscular mass diminish and the fat tissue increases.

- The body slows down: There exist in the elderly person a decrease in reflexes, a decrease in muscle coordination, a reduced reaction rates and a lowered balance. She walks more slowly. Her gait became more hesitant with age; she walks with less assurance during the winter, takes longer to cross the streets. At home she will enter with care in her bath, is less alert to dress, hir movements are slower to get out of bed.

- The neurological activity: The decreasing number of neurons in the brain and the cerebral circulation results in a memory loss and a difficulty in concentrating, and in more severe cases can lead to degenerative diseases (Alzheimer, Parkinson).

- The activity of hormone glands: Production of hormones decreases with age, including thyroid, adrenal and sex hormones. This change result in weight gain, sleep disorders or mood change (or depression), poor adaptation to stress and decreased satisfaction during sexual activity.

- The cardiac activity: The heart is the organ which distributes the blood (and therefore oxygen) to every cell in our body. The decreased activity of the heart, often caused by a lack of proper irrigation and stiffening of the arteries, decreases blood supply and oxygen to organs and muscles wich are then less well oxygenated. This causes a decrease in physical and intellectual abilities, but can also produce vascular injuries.

- There is a gradual change in visual acuity and hearing.

- The respiratory capacity decreases: it leads to poor oxygenation of tissues, shortness of breath, fatigue during exercise or other sports, actually a decreased in performance. - The decreased activity of the kidneys: The kidneys are the organs responsible for elimination of body waste and reducing its activity produces an accumulation of toxin.

- The ability to digest: A poorer capacity for chewing food and a decreased digestive capacity, leads to a lower uptake of essential nutrients, hence the possibility of nutritional deficiencies.

- Secondly, the digestive system lets some unwanted particles penetrate the body. Associated with decreased immune function, such disharmony can cause symptoms of food intolerance, chronic inflammation, frequent infections, fatigue, skin disorders and joints, etc...

- The decrease in bone reconstruction: it causes osteoporosis and bone fragility that is responsible for more frequent fractures.

- The decrease in hydration and renewal of skin cells: it causes thin skin, wrinkles and sagging skin.

Aggravating factors

Aging is natural, but can be intensified by our bad habits:

- Poor diet: diet that is too rich in sugars and saturated fats is responsible for obesity and metabolic disorders such as excessive production of cholesterol and the development of diabetes. Thus the heart, lungs, tendons, joints are put at risk.

- Tobacco: it weakens the lungs and heart but also the bones, kidneys and skin. - Alcohol: it weakens the kidneys and digestive system. It also affects the brightness of the skin. - Inactivity: lack of physical activity affects the heart, lungs, muscles, bones. It can also lead to overweight increasing the risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

- The sun: it weakens the eyes and skin and can cause serious illness, including cancer.

- The pollution in our modern world by the use of pesticides, insecticides, as well as the presence of heavy metals in our environment promotes oxidative stress, stress which is a cause of disturbances in the functioning of our cells.



  
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