The scenario of age-weathered bodies going through rapid deterioration has become so commonplace that people are more surprised when a person aged between 50 and 70 don't pop out some sickness or disease every so often.
The concept of age-related diseases has, in fact, become synonymous to inevitable. Experts however are suggesting that instead of focusing on these diseases, the efforts should target aging per se.
Pathology professor Matt Kaeberlein and his colleagues from the University of Washington say: "Age is the greatest risk factor for nearly every major cause of mortality in developed nations...Despite this, most biological research focuses on individual disease processes, without much consideration for the relationship between aging and disease."
Experts further say that the aggressive methods by which these diseases are treated exacerbate rather than abet further deterioration in the human body.
Here are the areas they point out to be grounds where ageing may be battled and, with the help of science, be progressively won.
#1 Microbiome health: Bacteroides belong to a bacterial species that increases in concentration as the body ages. These are largely harmless and, for the most part, helpful inside the human gut. When these escape the gut and go into the tissues, infections and sicknesses may result. When the microbiome composition change, the body's resistance, cognition and muscle maintenance may suffer. The change and its consequences increase as the body ages. In the presence of high doses of antibiotics, such as usually prescribed to the elderly, both good and bad bacteria are eliminated furthering deterioration in the immunity, cognition and muscles. Care in maintaining good health in the microbiome is one of the best grounds to begin the battle against aging.
#2 Telomere-building: Chromosomes have small structures found on their ends called telomeres, which help keep the body from age-related deterioration. Nobel Laureate Elizabeth Blackburn of the University of California says that genetics determine only 30 to 80% of telemore wear. The rest are influenced by external factors as diet, environment, activity and stress levels. Given these, healthy food and lifestyle choices play truly significant roles in the quality of telomere maintenance.
Naturally building telomere through the body's enzyme, telomerase, is another way that experts see ageing can be fought. This, however, is a very delicate method as Dr. Blackburn highlights: "...in 80 to 90% of fully malignant human tumors, cancer cell telomerase is up-regulated compared to normal tissue counterparts." If the dangers can be controlled, telomerase can hold the key to anti-aging.
#3 Stem cell care: Stem cell production naturally slows down as the body ages. Stress, environmental pollutants, unhealthy diet and other similar factors can also cause this to slow down and deteriorate. Stem cell production stoppage means the necessary rebuilding and maintenance of the body's organs and vital systems suffer.
Infusion of stem cells from an older person to a younger person rejuvenates the older stem cells from the older person and vice versa. Stem cells may also be reverted to youthfulness when young blood plasma or similar factors are given to an older person.
On a practical level, avoidance of stress and harmful environment factors as well as good diet and lifetsyle choices go a long way in keeping stem cell production healthy.
#4 Mitochondrial health: When distribution of key proteins packed in organellles slow down due to age, the mitochondria consequently falters. This has a body-wide impact. Experts are now discovering ways by which to maintain consistency in unpacking these proteins. While mitochondrial health is not solely responsible for the aging of a body, its condition makes a fair contribution in the process.
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