The Causes of Aging

If we know the answer to the causes of aging we are ahead of the game, right? Because once we know the answer to this question we can provide and answer. However, for us there is no one simple answer. There are multiple reasons why we age from DNA and our own particular inherited gene structure to how we have lived our lives, what we have been exposed to in our environments, what we have eaten, what has formed our daily habits and on.

Why some people age more quickly than others is still not entirely known. Chronological age doesn't necessarily equate to biological age and scientists are busy trying to find out why.

Your genes play a role in determining your longevity and how well you age, but it isn't the only determining factor. If your parents lived to a healthy, and ripe old age chances are you will too, if you took care of yourself. Once you hit age 80 however, inherited genes are less of a factor.

However, if your father died of heart disease, you may avoid the same fate if you lead a healthy lifestyle, exercise regularly, eat the right foods and take heart healthy supplements.

As we age our hormone production declines and with this decline we lose some of the youthful benefits that they bring. All menopausal women are well acquainted with the drier skin and slower metabolism that comes with estrogen decline. Men may notice a decline in muscle mass as testosterone declines. But hormones are also responsible for helping the body repair itself and as we age the normal wear and tear on a cellular level becomes more noticeable as a result.

Cellular causes of aging occur from free radical damage (oxidative damage) and from cellular waste. This waste is produced by cellular metabolism and over time cells make more waste than they can possibly get rid of, which may wreak havoc on their ability to function and slowly lead to their death. This is why it is important to eat a diet filled with antioxidants and to keep well hydrated, not only tocarry nutrients like anti oxidants to cells but also to help the cells remove waste more efficiently.

On a surface level our skin is made up of collagen and elastin. When we're young collagen is pliable. As we age collagen becomes more rigid and shrinks. This is one of the reasons why your skin is less elastic than before.

What Can We Do To Minimize The Damage?

That is what this site is all about. On these pages you will find a wealth of suggestions to minimize the damage done from the normal wear and tear of living. Of course if we have been less than perfect in taking care of ourselves as most of us have, then take heart. Here you will find ways to make up for some of those years of taking your youth and your body for granted. Maybe we can't exactly turn back the clock, but we can start now to do what we can to try and beat the clock.

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