What causes aging?

Aging is a progressive failure of complex metabolic processes with underlying  main biochemical processes involved in aging. These are oxidation, glycation and methylation. Other relevant processes are chronic inflammation and hormonal deregulation.

Oxidation

Free radicals are a group of simple compounds with an electron missing from their chemical structure. This makes them unstable as they seek out other chemical structures from which they can acquire an electron and in the process make those also unstable.

Free radicals in small and controlled quantities are useful in everyday metabolism. The problem starts when the production of free radicals increases and goes out of control.

Free radicals damage the cell membrane which is composed of lipids and proteins. Their interaction results in the production of the chemical Melondialdehyde which is very harmful, contributing to another important aging process called glycation.

Glycation

When glucose molecules and other sugars such as fructose attach themselves to proteins, it is called glycation. This results in brownish discoloration of tissues. The binding of sugar to protein causes cross linking of proteins and interfears with cellular DNA. Cross linked proteins cause more damage by reacting with free radicals and other toxins to create Advanced Glycation Endproducts (AGEs). These AGEs bind to cells at special attachment sites called RAGEs (Receptor for AGEs). These result in the production of several harmful chemicals damaging tissues.

AGEs are found in most tissues in the body and their concentration increases from the age of twenty onward.

However nutrient such as carnosine and other Anti-Aging supplements and some drugs can help in breaking this process.

Methylation

When chemical ‘methyl groups’ are being added to different constituents of the proteins, DNA and other molecules to keep them in good, active condition, it is called methylation. This is necessary for the normal maintenance of tissues and is usually kept at a healthy levels naturally by the body. Methylation of certain parts of the DNA causes permanent switching off of unnecessary genes and saves the body from abnormal DNA division. This means that methylation of those particular sections of DNA blocks any abnormal DNA from being passed onto the future generations of cells.

Any chronic inflammation process affects methylation because the immune system, which is heavily involved in fighting inflammation, gorges itself on methyl groups, leaving nothing for other tissues of the body.

Low methylation is reflected in the increasing levels of homocysteine, which is found in chronic inflammatory processes such as lupus, heart disease and diabetes. Increased intake of methylators reduces the risk of these diseases.

Chronic inflammation

There are scientists who believe that most age related changes in the body are due to chronic inflammation. When there is chronic inflammation, the body tissues are eaten away by toxic chemicals, resulting in dementia, thickening of the arteries, arthritis, diabetes, hormonal imbalance and so on. Taking low dose of anti-inflammatory chemicals such as Aspirin keeps age related inflammation at bay. However, this is not a widely shared opinion. A diet containing nutrients i.e. fish (contains anti-inflammatory oils), fruit and vegetables, particularly berries (which are packed full of antioxidants and inflammation-fighting flavonoids) along with supplements like alpha lipoic acid and co-enzyme Q10 are helpful.

Hormonal deregulation

There is little doubt about the important role hormones play in our lives and in aging. The pacemakers of youth, these precious little chemicals keep us young, healthy and vibrant. In general, aging results in imbalance of hormones in the body or one can also ask “Does hormonal imbalance cause aging?” Hormones such as growth hormone, melatonin and DHEA need to be replaced or reactivated during aging to prevent the body from falling apart.

How anti-aging program works?

Principles

1. Enhance health through eating a hormonally correct diet
2. Enrich body with optimum doses of proven antioxidants and nutraceuticals
3. Improve physical exercise performance, which includes aerobic, anaerobic and flexibility training
4. Replace hormones to levels to those of 20-30 years old.

Reference:

Balvant P. Arora, Antiageing Medicine ,Indian J Plast Surg. 2008 Oct; 41(Suppl): S130–S133