The Science of Aging: Why Do We Age?

 

While many people search for the proverbial fountain of youth, you may be wondering why, do we age in the first place? For centuries, scientists, philosophers, and even laypeople have been debating the reasons behind aging. Is it simply wear and tear? Is it programmed into our cells? Are we just victims of bad luck?

Well, not quite. Animals age, plants age, and even rocks age. So, we know that it’s not just a human condition. But why? Why do we grow old? Why do our bodies age? Why do we have to age? They are all “age” old questions, aren’t they?

Bad puns aside, there are a few theories as to why we age. And, while scientists are still trying to figure out the answer to all of the above questions and more, the last few years have seen some pretty significant breakthroughs in the field of aging research.

So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular theories on why we age and explore the science behind each one. We’ll also dive into some of the latest research on aging and longevity, with just five of the most significant breakthroughs happening in our world today.

If you’ve ever wondered why we age, and if there are any plans to do anything about it, this article is for you.

What is Aging?

First things first, let’s define aging.

When most people think of aging, they think of the physical changes that come with getting older. You know, wrinkles, grey hair, achy joints... that sort of thing. But aging isn’t just about how our bodies look on the outside; it’s also about how our bodies function on the inside.

For example, as we age:

Our cells divide more slowly,

We produce less collagen and elastin (which keeps our skin looking young and plump),

Our hair follicles shrink (which is why our hair gets thinner and greyer),

And our muscles atrophy (which is why we get weaker).

Though it’s not just our physical appearance and strength that change as we age, our mental faculties also start to decline. As a result, we have a more challenging time learning new things, our memories aren’t as sharp, and we become more forgetful. We also become more susceptible to age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, heart disease, and cancer.

So, when we talk about aging, we’re talking about the gradual deterioration of our physical and mental abilities. But, of course, it’s important to note that there are also a lot of individual factors that contribute to how quickly we age. For example, our lifestyle choices, diet, environment, and even our genes all influence how fast (or slow) we age.

That said, there are some commonalities when it comes to aging. And understanding these commonalities is key to understanding why we age in the first place. So, let’s take a look at some of the most popular theories on aging.

Why Do We Age? - Two Primary Categories

The most popular theories on the science of aging can be divided into two main categories: programmed aging and damage-related aging. Let’s take a look at each one in turn.

Programmed Aging

The first theory on our list is programmed aging. Programmed aging posits that we age because our cells are programmed to do so. In other words, aging is written into our DNA.

This theory has a lot of evidence to support it. For example, studies have shown that the length of telomeres (the protective caps on the ends of chromosomes) predicts lifespan in a variety of species. In humans, shorter telomeres have been linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases like heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Damage-Related Aging

The second theory on our list is damage-related aging. This theory posits that we age because our cells accumulate too much damage over time. This damage can come from various sources, including oxidative stress, inflammation, and glycation (the buildup of sugar molecules on proteins).

Damage-related aging also has a lot of evidence to support it. For example, studies have shown that oxidative stress increases with age in an assortment of species. In humans, higher levels of oxidative stress have been linked to a higher risk of age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and diabetes.

For more information please visit the following link: https://www.afiya.health/why-do-we-age