Home | Health | Anti-aging

What is the Cause of Aging?

By: Brian Z. Barrett

Read More About Anti-Aging

When we are young we rarely think that one day we will be old, but no one can remain young forever, no matter how much they may want to. While various theories abound there is probably no single cause of aging, but many elements contribute to it.

One theory is that DNA damage is responsible. There is some evidence that damage accumulates in the non-dividing cells of mammals. While much of the damage that occurs continuously in these and other cells is repaired, some is not due to the speed of repair being slower than the speed of damage. Much of this damage is due to oxidizing.

The process of metabolizing oxygen and other essential reactions in the body causes the production of free radicals, also blamed for the aging process. Free radicals do much damage in the body including causing chronic disease, damaging the immune system, and exposing genetic material in the nucleus, thus leaving the DNA open to destruction or mutation.

Free radicals can also come from outside the body by way of the environment (smoke, heavy metals etc) poor quality food and water and even stress. If this sounds like bad news, the body does have a way of dealing with free radicals through molecules called anti-oxidants. Amazingly, anti -oxidants give the free radicals what they were ripping off of our bodies - that is, another electron to pair with their lone one. While this leaves the anti-oxidant one electron short, it does not damage our bodies to find one, but interacts with other anti-oxidants in a way that is harmless to us.

Scientists have actually prolonged the life of mice by increasing their ability to disarm those bad free radicals.

Another theory of aging involves the loss of effectiveness in our mitochondria, the energy-producing elements within our cells, caused by its inability to repair itself when damaged. Observations have confirmed the genomic instability of the mitochondria.

Scientists have also discovered that the natural shortening of the tail end of chromosomes - called telomeres - plays a role in the aging process.

Of course disease has a place to play in our aging, as we can see from observing those around us. Often the sick seem to age very quickly, even if their disease is not terminal. In some cases, skin damage caused by radiation, e.g. too much tanning, or being close to fires for lengthy periods in certain skin types, causes a person to apparently age, but their body is still quite strong. While no one likes to be a mass of wrinkles, it?s better than having a weak, frail body with beautiful skin.

Article Source: http://depositarticles.com/

Do you feel age is taking its toll on YOUR body? You need to know the 15 secrets to looking great, feeling young and staying fabulous! Visit my website to find out more about my anti-aging guide.

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Anti-Aging Articles Via RSS!
Additional Articles From - Home | Health | Anti-aging
Sign Up for a free account.
Our other websites
All about SEO
Beauty Tips Forum
Submit Articles
Member Login
Link Us
Submission Guidelines
Ezine Notifications
Article RSS Feeds
Sitemap
New Stuff
About Us
Developer
Good shopping portal
Link to Us
Contact Us
Privacy Policy
Terms of Service

counter easy hit

Powered by Article Dashboard