The Wear and Tear Theory
The Wear and Tear Theory was first introduced by Dr. August
Weismann, a German biologist in 1882. He believed aging occurred
when the body and its cells were damaged by overuse and abuse.
The major organs of the body such as the liver, stomach,
kidneys, skin and so on are worn down by toxins in our diet and
in the environment, by excessive intake of fat, sugar, caffeine,
alcohol and nicotine, by the ultra-violet rays of the sun and by
the many other physical and emotional stresses to which we
subject our bodies. Simply using the organs over time wears them
out even if you never touch a cigarette or have a glass of wine
and stayed out of the sun, etc. Abuse just wears them out
quicker. He also believed it takes place on the cellular level.
Nutritional supplements and other treatments can help reverse
the aging process by stimulating the body’s own ability to
repair and maintain its organs and cells.
The Neuroendocrine Theory
The neuroendocrine theory was developed by Vladimir Dilman,
Ph.d. The theory elaborates on the wear and tear theory by
focusing on the neuroendocrine system that governs the release
of our hormones and other vital bodily elements. Different
organs release various hormones under the governance of the
hypothalamus, a walnut-sized gland located within the brain.
Hormone levels are high in youth and account for menstruation in
women and high libido in both sexes. As we get older the body
produces lower levels of hormones which can have serious effects
on our functioning. Hormones help repair and regulate our bodily
functions. When aging causes a drop in hormone production, it
causes a decline in our body’s ability to repair and regulate
itself.
The hormone replacement therapy is a frequent component of any
anti-aging treatment and helps to reset the body’s hormonal
clock and then reverse or delay the effects of aging. The theory
holds that if our hormones are being produced at youthful levels
the cells of our bodies are stimulated to active and we stay
young.
The Genetic Control Theory
This theory focuses on the genetic programming encoded within
our DNA. From birth we are equipped with a unique genetic code,
which has a great deal to say about how quickly we age and how
long we live. When our biological clock goes off it signals our
bodies first to age and then to die. The timing on this genetic
clock is subject to enormous variation and depends upon what
happens to us as we grow up and on how we actually live.
Anti-aging medicine attempts to prevent damage to our cells and
increase repair of DNA to help us escape our genetic destinies,
at least to some extent.
The Free Radical Theory
This development in anti-aging research was first introduced by
R. Gerschman in 1954 and developed by Dr. Denham Harman of the
University of Nebraska, College of Medicine. Free radical is a
term used to describe any molecule that differs from
conventional molecules. Free radicals possess a free electron
that makes it react with other molecules in highly destructive
ways.
The theory holds that free-radical damage begins at birth and
continues until we die. In our youth its effects are fairly
minor because the body has extensive repair and replacement
mechanisms that in healthy young people function to keep cells
and organs in working order. With age, the accumulated effects
of free-radical damage begin to take their toll and are part of
what ages our cells. Free-radical disruption of cell metabolism
may also create mutant cells leading to cancer and death. Free
radicals attack collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are
the substances that keep our skin moist, smooth, flexible and
elastic. When these vital tissues fray and break under the
assault of free radicals, we begin to notice folds of skins and
deep-cut wrinkles.
Another way of looking at free-radical changes is to think of it
as rust and our aging process is similar to the rusting away of
a once-intact piece of metal. Oxygen itself is free radicals and
so our breathing and aerobic exercise generates free radicals
that help us along the aging process.
Substances that prevent harmful effects of oxidation are
antioxidants. This is why specialists in anti-aging medicine
prescribe a host of natural and manufactured antioxidants to
help combat the effects of aging. Many vitamins and minerals and
other substances fight aging by acting as free-radical
scavengers.
Source: The American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food
and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All
health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care
professional.
No comments:
Post a Comment