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| Aging Process | ||
Aging is a process of declining physiological functions and the increased risk of disease and death, associated with chronological age. Diet, lifestyles, stress and many environmental factors can hasten this process. Conversely, the aging process can be slowed down (not eliminated) by following a healthy lifestyle, proper diet, exercise and reducing stress. The strategies to Fight Aging will thus involve improvements in almost all the physiological functions that are compromised. A proper understanding of the age related physiological changes will help us to devise more effective preventive strategies to Fight Aging. Slowing down aging and prevention are crucial because most of the changes are considered irreversible. Recent advances in medicine have shown that many of these disease processes can be partly reversed also. Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, Retinopathy, Nephropathy, Muscle Loss (Sarcopenia), Atherosclerosis and Osteoporosis are a few of them. This is very encouraging, since a multi factorial approach to Fight Aging can be evolved. Aging starts at the end of the teen years and continues throughout the lifespan of a person. It involves gradual changes in appearance, lower metabolic rate, lower reaction times, decline in memory and loss of muscle mass. From the age of 30, there is a gradual decline of bone mass, ultimately leading to osteoporosis. At this time of their life, people are in the middle of their careers and are struggling to reach the top. Stress and haphazard dietary patterns combined with sedentary lifestyles now take their toll. Gradual decline in sexual function (associated with declining Testosterone levels), immunity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and degenerative brain disorders, loss of hearing, vision and sensory functions. Decline in functions of vital organs and hormonal changes add to the debilitating consequences of aging. Even though the decline in physiological functions is linear, the mortality rates due to disease increase exponentially with increasing age. The aging process can be delayed significantly, but some organs may deteriorate faster and increase the risk of death. This process cannot be quantified and we still have to rely on chronological age as a measure of aging. Many international groups are working to arrive at measures of aging, such as ‘frailty’. A Clinical Global Impression Measure for Frailty that includes intrinsic domains of mobility, strength, endurance, nutrition, and neuromotor performance was recently developed and is being validated. [1] The underlying cause for this multi-systemic failure is still unclear. Loss of genetic material and inflammatory pathways seem to play a major role. Loss of mitochondrial functions and excessive free radical formation is believed to damage lipids and proteins.[2] The genetic aging process seems to be distinct from other co-morbid factors or diseases. Irrespective of the presence or absence of insulin resistance or heart disease etc., the aging process continues. The co-morbid conditions may however accelerate some aspects of the process. Until a clear picture emerges, it appears that healthy diet and adequate exercise are crucial to Fight Aging. In day to day life,
people have a way of guessing the chronological age by observing
the physical condition. Don’t we feel thrilled if our age
is estimated to be 6-9 years younger than what we are? Fight Aging Site
team has taken maximum care to ensure that the information is authentic.
The information has been extracted from published medical trials
and text books. The information is not meant to substitute a Physicians
advice, nor is it meant to treat any disease. Members are advised
to consult a Physician, Dietician, Physiotherapist or Trainer before
taking medication or exercise program. |
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