Basic Theories of Aging
There are many theories of aging. But to keep things easy we
will start with two basic categories; oxidation reactions and
sub-optimal hormone levels.
 Oxidation
reactions occur when the combustion of oxygen that keeps us
alive and well produces by-products called oxygen free radicals.
When this process occurs in metals we call it rusting.
When it happens in us we call it aging, which may make us feel
rusty as well!
Free radicals are molecules that have lost an electron.
When this happens to oxygen, we call it singlet oxygen, because
it has only one of its electrons left. This is a highly
unstable condition, and to restore balance the radical either
tries to steal one away from, or donate the remaining one, to
another nearby molecule. In so doing, the free radicals
create "molecular mayhem", disrupting, damaging and destroying
nearby cells. If DNA is involved, mutations occur, a
favored theory of a common cause of cancer. In time, free
radical damage accumulates, thereby aging us.
Free radicals are not only produced inside us, but we take
them in through smoking, food, air and water pollution, x-rays,
sun exposure, and various poisons to name the most common.
"Aging is a disease. The human life span simply reflects the
level of free radical oxidative damage that accumulates in
cells. When enough damage accumulates, cells can't survive
properly anymore and they just give up." says E.R. Stadtman,
researcher on aging,
NIH.
The other major theoretical cause of aging in this brief,
introductory overview is sub-optimal hormone levels. As we
age some hormones begin a precipitous decline that strongly
parallels the onset of aging signs and symptoms. These
include human growth hormone, melatonin, DHEA, androstenedione
(made famous by Mark McQwire), testosterone, estrogen, and
progesterone.
Conversely, insulin levels tend to rise, culminating in adult
onset diabetes. Also, a relative rise in cortisol, the
stress hormone, is all too common as well.
Thyroid hormone doesn't generally decline with age.
Many anti-aging doctors insist that slow thyroid function is
common however, and when present, definitely hastens aging and
heart disease.
HUMAN GROWTH HORMONE, a.k.a. HGH, as the name implies,
stimulates the growth of our tissues. Our internal organs,
skin, muscles, nerves and bones are all stimulated to grow by
HGH. As our levels of growth hormone shrinks, so do we!
MELATONIN helps us sleep and may help prevent cancer. One
reason why people over 60 sometimes find it hard to go to sleep
is declining melatonin levels. DHEA is a building block
out of which estrogen and testosterone are made. (It is
first converted to androstenedione, however.) DHEA also boosts
our immune systems and brains.
TESTOSTERONE, ESTROGEN and PROGESTERONE give us our sex
drive, build muscle, skin and bone, keep our minds sharp,
protect our hearts, and help us feel and be attractive.
THYROID HORMONE helps keeps us energetic and trim, like the
other hormones mentioned. It helps us burn fat. That spare
tire that develops around our bellies at middle age (central
obesity) has a lot to do with declining hormone levels, often
one of the main reasons diets don't work!
Excess INSULIN levels are associated with diabetes,
pre-diabetes, and the mysterious sounding "Syndrome X".
When insulin no longer moves sugars well, known as insulin
resistance, both insulin and eventually blood sugar rise.
The excess blood sugar is forced into your tissues, damaging
them with "advanced glycation end-products", known as "AGE"
appropriately enough!
CORTISOL levels don't decline with age. Excess levels of this
stress hormone are catabolic. That means it literally
"eats you up inside".
Now that you have had a brief introduction as to some of
major factors in aging, let's do an overview of a rational
anti-aging program.
FIRST, regardless of age, we want to fill our bodies with an
abundance of anti-oxidants, while we do our best to avoid
oxidant poisons. (Some of us may even need to detoxify to
rid our bodies of accumulated oxidants like heavy metals or
pesticides). This is done through a good diet and
aggressive supplementation.
"We could save billions of dollars if we could delay the
onset of chronic diseases by as little as ten years."- Dr. J.
Blumberg, Tufts, who advises adults to take anti-oxidant vitamin
supplements.
SECOND, we want to prevent sugar imbalances, Syndrome X,
diabetes and the accumulation of advanced glycation end products
(remember AGE?) by good diet, supplements and exercise.
THIRD, we want to minimize stress and maximize our ability to
handle it by balanced healthy life-styles, and vitamins and
herbs designed as stress handlers and relievers.
FINALLY, we want to restore our hormonal levels to closer
approximate those levels we had when we were young. Today,
most anyone can afford to do so safely, without prescription.
"Replacing the hormones which decline with age, such as
estrogen, testosterone, DHEA, melatonin, and now HGH, is as
important as replacing normal levels of insulin is to a
diabetic." Ronald Klatz, M.D.,President of the Academy of
Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M).
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