What should I know about Aging

Aging is a natural, normal part of life. We sometimes tend to fear
growing older, accepting without question the belief that ill health and
infirmity are inevitable consequences of the aging process. It doesn?t
need to be this way. While it's true that our risk of disease goes up as
we age, there is no reason why we cannot enjoy good health for a
lifetime. In fact, science is learning more about how we can do just
that. No one can turn the clock back on aging, but an impressive body of
scientific research points the way to strategies that may help people
stay healthier as they grow older, and perhaps even live longer. How
long you live and how healthy you remain while you live depend a
great deal on the way you live.

The maximum possible human life span is estimated to be about 120
years. The average life expectancy in developed countries
is 76 to 79 years. Why the difference? While science has yet to discover
how to increase the maximum potential life span, people can adopt
lifestyle and nutritional strategies that may allow them to live in
relatively good health significantly longer than the current average
life expectancy. At center stage in aging research is a class of
substances found in the human body and in nature, called "free radicals."

*Free radicals:* The free radical theory of aging, first presented by
Denham Harman, M.D., in 1956, says that changes that
occur in the body with aging are caused by the buildup of free radicals.
In a recently published paper, Dr. Harman discusses a growing scientific
consensus that free radicals are a major cause of aging--maybe the only
one.

What, exactly, is a free radical? Everything that exists in the physical
world around us--natural or man-made--is held together by chemical
bonds. All substances are made of molecules that bond to each other by
sharing electrons, the subatomic particles that orbit the atom?s
nucleus. Electrons like to form pairs; the pairing of electrons creates
a biochemical peace and stability, without which, everything would come
apart at the seams. Free radicals are molecules that have an unpaired
electron. This unpaired electron makes the free radical highly unstable,
like a sort of molecular loose cannon. So anxious is the free radical to
find a mate for its solitary electron, it will snatch an electron away
from whatever is close by. The issue is far from settled at this point,
however: you may now have another equally rapacious free radical
desperate to replace its stolen electron. This can set off a chain
reaction producing thousands of free radicals in less than a wink of an
eye. The process continues until something comes along
with spare electrons--a biochemical benefactor that can give up an
electron without itself becoming a free radical--and order is restored.

These molecular peacekeepers, substances that donate electrons to halt
free radical chain reactions, are called "antioxidants." Also known as
"free radical scavengers," antioxidants include familiar nutrients like
vitamins A, C, and E. The plant world fairly brims with antioxidants,
which is one reason why fruits and vegetables are so healthy.

What happens if an antioxidant is not available in sufficient quantity
to halt the free radical chain reaction? Our cells and tissue suffer
collateral damage. Fatty molecules in cell walls, proteins, enzymes that
regulate cell function, even DNA itself are all vulnerable to free
radical attack.

What does all this have to do with aging? Fortunately, nature has
outfitted the body with a rapid-response team of enzymes that neutralize
free radicals before they can do much damage. In health, and in youth,
we have an abundance of these enzymes. As we age, the body may not
produce enough antioxidant enzymes to keep up. The resulting unchecked
injury to cells and tissues, so the free radical theory of aging goes,
causes a breakdown in tissue and organ function, setting the stage for
disease. If we could somehow turn this around and regain the upper hand
against free radicals, in theory we could slow aging down. Or at least
preserve organ health and function longer, allowing us to enjoy better
health longer.

*Slowing down the aging process:* How can we protect ourselves against
free radical damage? One step is to reduce our exposure to environmental
sources of free radicals. A partial list of environmental free radical
producers includes ionizing radiation (x-rays), ultraviolet light (a
sunburn, pesticides and insecticides in water and food,
and heavy metals such as lead and mercury.

Stress reduction is a key health measure that can help tip the balance
in our favor. Studies indicate that physical, emotional, and mental
stress increase formation of free radicals in the body.


The next important anti-aging strategy is to increase our intake of
antioxidant nutrients. An enormous number of studies have been published
showing individuals with higher intakes of various antioxidant nutrients
have increased protection from many of the common aging-related
diseases.

Good scientific evidence indicates that lifestyle choices greatly
influence health, longevity, and the aging process. Avoidance of
smoking, regular exercise, keeping weight down, and eating a healthy
diet, do more than just reduce our risk of disease. They help us live
longer and better.

About the Author

Find out more about the aging process and ways to keep vital and healthy at Health & Wellness Haven