tHE rOLE OF THE aGING pROCESS.
What causes human bodies to age? – Search Videos (bing.com)
By Charlotte Hu
Charlotte Hu was born on the 2nd of September 1986. She is best known for being a Photographer. She and Joana Pak are photographers born in 1986. Charlotte Hu’s
age is 37. Photographer who runs the blog charlottehu.com where she posts her
personal projects.
The 37-year-old photographer was born in the United States. She quit her job in finance in 2013 to follow her passion. She shoots with a Canon 5D III, Sony a7r II, and Google Pixel. She has 32,700 followers on her charlottehuco Instagram account. char (@charlottehuco) • Instagram photos and videos
One primary task of all photographers is to guide a viewer through an image to the primary subject within the scene, which is one reason why judicious sharpening is
so essential. It’s also a well-established fact that the human eye is generally most
attracted to the brightest and sharpest areas in a photo.
Childhood
Charlotte Hu was born in the 1980s. The 1980s was the decade of big hair, big phones, pastel suits, Cabbage Patch Kids, Rubik’s cubes, Yuppies, Air Jordans, shoulder pads and Pac Man. During the Eighties, conservative politics and Reaganomics held sway as the Berlin Wall crumbled, new computer technologies emerged and blockbuster movies and MTV reshaped pop culture. Discover what happened on this day.
Charlotte Hu is part of a Millennial Generation (also known as Generation Y). Millennials are a generation who grew up with computers, internet and social networks. Having been raised under the mantra “follow your dreams” and being told they were special, they tend to be confident and tolerant of differences. Charlotte Hu makes growing old fun.
Here’s what scientists know about the biology behind growing old.
Gawd is used to represent the word ‘God’ pronounced in a particular accent or tone of voice, especially to show that someone is bored, irritated, or shocked. MarleyMAR – Thank GAWD [Official Video] – YouTube
Why Do We Age, and Can Anything Be Done to Stop or Slow it? (healthline.com)
Everything grows old. As you age, you may notice an extra wrinkle on your forehead or lower energy levels.
I’m going to say it: getting old does suck and it has nothing to do with society and I don’t think it’s wrong or bad to admit that. I would love to know if others agree or disagree r/AskWomenOver30 (reddit.com)
How do old people feel about the time they spend alone?
Instead of just assuming that solitude, for old people, means loneliness and despair,
a trio of gerontologists at the University of Haifa in Israel asked old people if being by themselves could be a positive experience and whether it actually has been for them.
Then they took an important next step – they asked occupational therapists who work with old people and graduate students training to be scholars of old people (gerontologists) whether they thought that solitude could be a positive
experience for old people.
Gerontology scholars Sharon Ost-Mor, Yuval Palgi, and Dikla Segel-Karpas recruited
41 people between the ages of 65 and 103 to participate. They were the old people.
Nineteen of them were 85 or older and 19 were men. Six were living in retirement
homes or nursing homes. Thirty-one were Jewish.
They were a diverse group with regard to marital status, work status, economic status,
and health. The researchers also recruited 57 professionals. Sixteen were gerontology
occupational therapists and 41 were gerontology graduate students.
The old people were asked questions such as:
“Can being by oneself be a positive or agreeable experience?”
“Can you recall a situation in which you felt that being by
yourself was a positive experience?”
The occupational therapists and gerontology graduate students were asked to answer the same questions as they applied to old people. The findings were reported in “Exploring gaps in positive solitude perceptions: older adults vs. gerontology professionals,” in International Psychogeriatrics.thank
Old People’s Experiences of Positive Solitude
Old and Alone: Even Professionals Do Not Understand This | Psychology Today
The results for the old people were straightforward. They believed that being alone
can be an enriching experience. When asked for examples of when they enjoy being by themselves, they mentioned fishing, lighting a bonfire, making coffee, appreciating art, reminiscing, and training for triathlons.
None of the old people qualified their answers. For example, they didn’t say that they
only enjoyed being alone if they were in a certain mood or if they were not in pain.
All they needed was the time, the space, and no one else trying to interfere.
Meh, until I can control the passage of time, I’m not going to qualify the concept of aging.
Whether it sucks or not, there is literally nothing I can do about it.
I’m opting to see the good or at least not focus on the bad.
Feeling Alone and Forgotten is Worse feeling in the World – Search (bing.com)
To find out what’s going on inside our bodies that causes these age-related changes and declines, the journal Cell assembled a group of researchers in 2013. That team, composed of scientists studying different aspects of aging, reviewed all the existing literature on aging and wrote an overview.
That’s correct. The seminal paper titled “The Hallmarks of Aging” was published in 2013 and it indeed categorized the biological processes of aging into nine distinct hallmarks. These hallmarks are widely recognized in the field of gerontology and provide a framework for understanding the complexity of aging.
They are grouped into three categories:
Primary hallmarks (causes of damage):
Genome instability
Telomere attrition
Epigenetic alterations
Loss of proteostasis
Antagonistic hallmarks (responses to damage):
5. Deregulated nutrient sensing 6. Mitochondrial dysfunction
7. Cellular senescence Integrative hallmarks (culprits of the phenotype):
8. Stem cell exhaustion 9. Altered intercellular communication
These hallmarks collectively describe the types of biochemical changes that occur as organisms age, leading to a progressive loss of physiological integrity and increased vulnerability to diseases1. In January 2023, the authors of the original paper updated
the set of proposed hallmarks, adding three new ones: disabled macro autophagy,
chronic inflammation, and dysbiosis, bringing the total to twelve proposed hallmarks 1.
This reflects the ongoing research and evolving understanding of the aging process.
“The Hallmarks of Aging,” as their paper was called, summed up everything that happens in our bodies biologically as we get old & categorized those processes into 9 “hallmarks.”
They are:
Biological Hallmarks of Aging infographic
Samantha Lee/Shayanne Gal/Business Insider
Here’s what each of these hallmarks means and how they work.
DNA carries genetic instructions for all the body’s functions.
kts design/Shutterstock
Errors appear in DNA.
DNA genes
One type of damage that occurs with aging is that errors start to appear in our DNA.
When DNA is replicated, the code might not always be copied correctly — parts could
get misspelled, and sections could be accidentally inserted or deleted. These errors are
not always caught by the mechanisms in our bodies that repair DNA.
You’re right, DNA replication errors are a significant factor in the aging process.
As we age, the likelihood of errors occurring during DNA replication increases.
These errors can manifest as mutations, which may lead to various age-related
diseases and cellular dysfunctions.
The integrity of our DNA is crucial for maintaining cellular health, and our bodies have several mechanisms to repair DNA damage. However, over time, the efficiency of these repair mechanisms may decline, leading to an accumulation of DNA damage 1. This accumulation can contribute to the aging process and increase the risk of age-related diseases such as cancer 2.
Moreover, stress can exacerbate DNA replication errors, leading to inaccurate gene expression and contributing to the effects of aging, as well as increasing the risk of cancer and degenerative diseases 3.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, minimizing exposure to environmental stressors, and possibly interventions that enhance DNA repair mechanisms could be strategies to mitigate the impact of DNA replication errors on aging 1 2 3.
The genetic code is a cell’s instruction manual, so as errors build up, they can wreak havoc.
If the instructions become unclear or wrong over time, that could break down the cell and even make it turn cancerous. In old tissue, scientists have observed that many cells have a lot of accumulated genetic damage.
If researchers can figure out how to improve the mechanism that repairs DNA, they could improve and possibly delay the aging process. Improving the DNA repair mechanism is a promising approach to potentially delay the aging process.
Here are some key points based on recent research findings:
NAD Precursor NMN: Treatment with the NAD precursor NMN has been shown to mitigate age-related DNA damage and protect against DNA damage from radiation exposure in mice. This suggests that boosting NAD levels could be a way to enhance
DNA repair mechanisms 1.
Caloric Restriction: A caloric-restricted diet has been associated with decreased nutrient signaling, which in turn may promote a longer lifespan by improving DNA repair systems. Additionally, it helps in reducing ROS (reactive oxygen species) production and delays cellular senescence 2.
Protein Homeostasis: Maintaining protein homeostasis has been linked to decreased ROS production and delayed cellular aging, indicating that proper protein management can improve DNA repair capabilities 2.
Understanding Cellular Processes: Research has revealed a critical step in the molecular chain of events that allows cells to mend their broken DNA. This insight could lead to the development of therapies that prevent DNA damage associated with aging and cancer treatments 1.
It’s important to note that while these findings are promising, the effects of potential therapies can differ significantly between mice and humans due to biological differences. Human trials and further research are necessary to confirm these results and develop safe and effective anti-aging therapies. Always consult with healthcare professionals before considering any new treatment or supplement.
Loneliness, loss and regret: what getting old really feels like – new study (theconversation.com)
Epigenetics is the process of dictating which DNA segments are expressed.
Skye Gould/Business Insider
Gene expression goes awry.
genetic-code-behaves-differently-in-space.
Certain parts of your DNA are read and translated into physical traits.
A group of proteins in your cells controls which genes ultimately get expressed.
This process is called epigenetic moderation, and it’s what ensures your skin cells
are different from brain cells, even though they use the same set of DNA.
As we age, the proteins bound to DNA become looser and less accurate, and genes start to get expressed when they shouldn’t be, or get silenced in error. This means some necessary proteins aren’t being made, and harmful, unnecessary proteins are. For example, if an inadvertent change results in the silencing of a gene that helps suppress tumors, cells could uncontrollably grow into cancer.
You’re correct in noting that aging can affect the way DNA interacts with proteins, leading to changes in gene expression. This process is part of a broader range of age-related changes at the molecular level. With aging, there are pronounced epigenetic alterations, including changes to DNA methylation and histone modifications, which are key regulators of gene expression 1.
These changes can result in genes being erroneously expressed or silenced.
Additionally, DNA damage accumulates over time, which can contribute to the aging process. The integrity of the nuclear genome is crucial for cellular health, and persistent DNA damage can trigger cells to enter a state of apoptosis (programmed cell death) or senescence (a state of permanent cell cycle arrest), which are mechanisms to avoid replicating a damaged genome 2.
These processes, while protective against cancer, also promote aging.
The DNA damage theory of aging suggests that the accumulation of unrepaired DNA damage is a significant contributor to the aging process. This damage can lead to increased apoptosis or cellular senescence, or directly to increased cell dysfunction 3. Research has shown that enhanced
DNA repair mechanisms can lead to greater longevity, suggesting a causal relationship between DNA repair capacity and aging 3.
In summary, the loosening of proteins bound to DNA and the resulting misregulation of gene expression are part of the complex changes that occur as we age, which also include DNA damage and epigenetic modifications.
These changes can affect cellular function and contribute to the aging process.
Scientists have found that reversing these types of errors in gene expression can
improve some neurological effects of aging in mice, such as memory impairment.
“Getting Old Sucks!” | Psychology Today
Telomeres, shown here in white, are structures at the tips of chromosomes,
which are shown in blue. NIH
The relationship between telomere length and lifespan is a subject of ongoing research. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, and they naturally shorten as cells divide over time. Shortened telomeres have been associated with aging and an increased risk of certain diseases.
Research suggests that individuals with shorter telomeres may have a higher risk of mortality, particularly from heart disease and infectious diseases1. However, it’s important to note that telomere length is just one of many factors that can affect lifespan and health. Other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures also play significant roles.
While some studies have found a correlation between shorter telomeres and a shorter lifespan2, the full extent of how telomere length impacts aging and longevity is still not completely understood. It’s a complex area of study, and scientists continue to investigate the potential mechanisms and implications of telomere shortening345.
Telomeres may shorten.
Telomeres are protective caps at the ends of each strand of DNA. Some scientists have compared them to the plastic tips of shoelaces that keep them from fraying. Some research suggests that every time cells divide, the tips of the chromosome become shorter.
When the telomeres are lost, chromosomes become unstable and all kinds of problems arise. The most notable is that chromosomes can’t replicate correctly, and end up fragmented or with extra parts that aren’t supposed to be there.
These abnormalities usually kill cells or make them dangerous.
Scientists have figured out how to increase levels of telomerase – an enzyme that can extend the length of telomeres — in mice, and a study suggested that can extend mice’s lifespan. When they lowered levels of telomerase in mice, the mice lived shorter lives.
Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Shortens Telomeres.
The relationship between telomere length and lifespan is a subject of ongoing research. Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, and they naturally shorten as cells divide over time. Shortened telomeres have been associated with aging and an increased risk of certain diseases.
Research suggests that individuals with shorter telomeres may have a higher risk of mortality, particularly from heart disease and infectious diseases1. However, it’s important to note that telomere length is just one of many factors that can affect lifespan and health. Other factors like genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures also play significant roles.
While some studies have found a correlation between shorter telomeres and a shorter lifespan2, the full extent of how telomere length impacts aging and longevity is still not completely understood. It’s a complex area of study, and scientists continue to investigate the potential mechanisms and implications of telomere shortening345.
Proteins become less stable and accurate in their roles.
Proteins, like the motor proteins above, perform integral functions in the cell.
Kateryna Kon / Shutterstock
9 Important Functions of Protein in Your Body (healthline.com)
In our cells, proteins are produced constantly, and they control almost every function inside the cell. They move materials, carry signals, turn processes on and off, and provide structural support for the cell.
But proteins have to be recycled regularly because they lose their effectiveness over time. As we age, our bodies lose the ability to eliminate old proteins.
If our bodies can’t turn over unusable proteins, they can build up and become toxic. Protein accumulation is one of the major features of Alzheimer’s disease — proteins called beta-amyloid aggregate in the brain and result in the loss of nerve cells.
Proteins are essential macronutrients that play a critical role in maintaining healthy cells and overall bodily function. Here’s a summary of their importance:
Growth and Maintenance: Proteins are necessary for the growth and repair of body tissues. They are involved in the constant turnover of cells, helping to build and repair tissues like muscles, skin, and organs 1.
Biochemical Reactions: Enzymes, which are proteins, facilitate thousands of biochemical reactions in the body. They are crucial for metabolism, digestion, blood clotting, and muscle contraction 1.
Hormonal Function: Some proteins function as hormones, which are chemical messengers that help communicate between cells, tissues, and organs. They regulate various bodily functions, including growth, mood, and metabolism1.
Immune Response: Proteins are vital for a strong immune system.
Antibodies, for instance, are proteins that help fight off infections 2.
Transport and Storage: Proteins transport and store nutrients, ensuring that different parts of the body get the necessary substances required for various functions 1.
Structural Support: They provide structure and support for cells.
On a larger scale, they also allow the body to move 2.
Energy Source: Although not the primary energy source, proteins can be used for energy if necessary 2.
In summary, proteins are fundamental to the health and functionality of cells, impacting nearly every aspect of our physiology. A diet lacking in adequate protein can lead to various health issues, including muscle atrophy, weakened immune response, and impaired bodily functions 3.
Cells don’t die when they’re supposed to.
Cancer cells are shown within human connective tissue.
Wikimedia Commons
As cells undergo stress and become damaged, they sometimes stop dividing and become resistant to death. They turn into something scientists call “zombie cells,” which can infect other cells in their vicinity and spread inflammation throughout the body. These cells are also called senescent cells.
You’re referring to a phenomenon known as cellular senescence. When cells experience stress or damage, they can enter a state where they stop dividing but don’t die. These cells, often called “zombie cells,” can indeed cause problems in the body. They release inflammatory factors and other molecules that can lead to tissue damage and contribute to various age-related diseases 1.
Researchers have found that these zombie cells accumulate with age and can contribute to chronic inflammation, which is linked to many health issues such as arthritis, high cholesterol, and even cancer 1.
Studies have shown that removing these senescent cells from the body can alleviate conditions like diabetes in obese mice, suggesting that targeting these cells could be a promising strategy for treating age-related diseases 2.
Moreover, ongoing research is looking into how lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical activity, as well as medications that help clear senescent cells, might influence the levels of biomarkers associated with these zombie cells 1.
This could potentially lead to new ways to predict and treat health challenges related to aging.
Senescent cells accumulate with time and age, and scientists have found that eliminating senescent cells in old mice seems to reverse some of the effects of aging. Similarly, when senescent cells were injected into young mice, they had debilitating and inflammatory effects, and were detrimental to overall health.
Several drugs called senolytics are now being developed with the goal of reducing senescent cells in the elderly to treat age-related disease.
The body’s energy production machinery malfunctions.
Mitochondria keep the body’s lights on, in a sense.
Wikimedia Commons/Sterilgutassistentin
You have to feel to heal – Search (bing.com)
Mitochondria produce energy in cells by converting oxygen and food into energy. As organisms and their cells age, these mini power plants become more inefficient and dysfunctional. When they don’t function properly, they can produce an altered form of oxygen that can cause damage to DNA and proteins.
In a study published in the journal Nature in June, scientists were able to reverse wrinkles in mice by restoring the function of their mitochondria.
The Human Body Lives on Energy – Search Videos (bing.com)
Absolutely, the human body is an incredible energy conversion machine.
It uses energy from food in the form of calories to power all its functions.
Here’s a brief overview of how the body uses energy:
Eating, Digesting, and Metabolizing Food: The body uses up to 10% of its energy to eat, digest, and metabolize food. This process, known as metabolism, involves breaking down food into smaller components that can be absorbed and used by the body 1.
Physical Activity: About 20% of an average active person’s energy is used during physical activity. The body has three energy systems it uses during exercise: the ATP-PCr system for short bursts, the glycolytic system for breaking down glucose, and the aerobic system which uses oxygen to break down fat stores for continuous energy supply 1.
Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR): The majority of the energy the body uses, about 50-80%, is needed for basal metabolism, even when at rest. This is the energy required to maintain vital functions like breathing, blood circulation, and organ function. Factors such as genetics, sex, age, height, and weight can influence an individual’s BMR 1.
In essence, every action we take, from the most vigorous exercise to simply breathing, is powered by the energy we derive from the food we consume. It’s a complex, yet beautifully efficient system.
Metabolism can become imbalanced.
A patient takes a blood glucose test. Montri Thipsorn/Shutterstock
Cells have to adapt to the amount of nutrients that are available. So if there is an imbalance with the cell’s ability to sense or process nutrients, that causes problems. With age, cells become less accurate at detecting the amount of glucose or fat that’s in the body, so some fats and sugars don’t get properly processed. Aging cells accumulate an excessive amount of fats not because older people ingest a lot of fat, but because cells don’t digest it properly.
This is why age-related diabetes is fairly common — older adults’ bodies can no longer properly metabolize all the things they eat. Tissues stop getting fixed and renewed.
This can affect the
insulin and IGF-1 pathway role in cancer and diabetes – Search Videos (bing.com)
You’re correct, the insulin and IGF-1 (Insulin-like Growth Factor-1) pathways are indeed significant in the context of cancer and diabetes. These pathways are involved in cell growth, metabolism, and survival, and their dysregulation can contribute to the development and progression of various diseases.
In cancer, for example, overactivation of the IGF-1 pathway can lead to increased cell proliferation and decreased apoptosis, which are hallmarks of cancer. The pathway’s role in cancer is complex and involves interactions with other growth factors and hormones. It’s also been observed that some antidiabetic drugs, which target aspects of these pathways, may have repurposing potential in cancer treatment due to their effects on metabolic links between the two disorders 1.
Regarding diabetes, high levels of insulin and IGF-1 can indicate insulin resistance, a condition where cells in the body do not respond effectively to insulin. This resistance can lead to higher blood sugar levels and is a common feature of type 2 diabetes. Moreover, insulin resistance is associated with an increased risk of certain cancers, possibly due to the same mechanisms of increased cell proliferation and suppressed apoptosis 2.
It’s important to note that while there is a connection between these pathways and diseases, the relationship is intricate and influenced by many factors, including genetics, lifestyle, and environmental exposures. Ongoing research continues to unravel these complex interactions to better understand their implications for disease prevention and treatment 2 3 4.
Denis Dufrane, coordinator of the Center of Tissue and Cellular Therapy at Brussels’
Saint Luc Hospital, shows a piece of a three-dimensional bone structure.
Yves Herman/Reuters
Almost all tissues renew to some extent, but the rate of renewal becomes slower with aging, which is part of the reason why tissue damage accumulates. Stem cells are cells that have the ability to become different types of cells in our body. In many tissues, they act as an internal repair system, replenishing cells that are damaged or dead. As humans age, stem cells become exhausted and less active, which means they can’t divide as quickly. The exhaustion of stem cells means that tissues that are supposed to get renewed do not actually renew. Cells become bad at communicating with one another.
Chronic inflammation can indeed disrupt normal cell communication.
When the body’s inflammatory response is activated persistently, it can lead to a state of chronic inflammation.
This prolonged inflammation can cause damage to healthy cells, tissues, and organs, and interfere with their normal functions 1.
One of the ways chronic inflammation affects cell communication is through the release of pro-inflammatory mediators. These substances can increase the permeability of barriers like the blood-brain barrier, allowing the passage of cells into areas like the central nervous system, which can lead to neuroinflammation2. Additionally, chronic inflammation can disrupt normal insulin signaling due to persistent inflammation, which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes 1.
Moreover, the constant flow of proteins called cytokines during chronic inflammation can signal the immune system to release more inflammatory cells and substances into the bloodstream. This can create a hyperactive immune response, leading to a vicious cycle of inflammation that further impairs cellular communication 1.
If you suspect chronic inflammation is affecting your health, it’s important to consult with a healthcare professional. They may recommend blood tests like the erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein to identify inflammation in the body3. Managing chronic inflammation often involves lifestyle changes, such as adopting a healthy diet, regular exercise, and stress reduction techniques.
For everything in the body to work, cells have to be constantly
communicating with each other. Cell signal wireless Pixabay
They send signals through the blood and the immune system to do that. But as our bodies get older, cells become worse at communicating. Some cells become less responsive, which can turn them into inflammation-causing senescent cells. Inflammation produced by these senescent cells further blocks communication between healthy, functioning cells.
With cells unable to communicate, the immune system is unable to effectively clear out pathogens and senescent cells. Aging also changes the level of intercellular communication across the endocrine and neuroendocrine systems. Messages sent through hormone molecules that circulate through these systems, such as insulin, tend to get lost.
When Cells Can’t Communicate the Immune System Becomes compromised.
That’s correct. Cell communication is crucial for the immune system to function properly. Cells in the immune system communicate through various methods, including cell-to-cell contact and the release of signaling molecules like cytokines and chemokines1. These signals allow immune cells to coordinate their responses to pathogens and other threats.
When cell communication is disrupted, it can lead to a compromised immune system. This can happen due to genetic defects, diseases, or as a result of certain medical treatments. Without proper communication, immune cells may fail to respond adequately to infections, may not be able to coordinate an effective attack against pathogens, or might mistakenly attack the body’s own tissues, leading to autoimmune diseases.
For a deeper understanding of how cells communicate and the impact on the immune system, resources like educational videos and articles can provide detailed explanations of the processes involved234. These materials explain the roles of different immune cells, how they recognize and eliminate pathogens, and how they use cytokines and chemokines to communicate and mount a specific immune response.
.
In the end, the goal of research into the aging process is to find
connections between these nine processes.
Scientists don’t yet understand the connections between these nine agreed-upon hallmarks of aging. But according to Manuel Serrano, one of the authors of the paper, many scientists are now researching this. “This is a proposal for further discussion,” he told Business Insider. “Colleagues will start changing things, adding new topics and new connections.”
When scientists understand enough about the science behind aging, they’ll be able to create more effective treatments that can manipulate how we age and treat age-related diseases.
Richard Miller, the director of Glenn Center of Aging Research at University of Michigan, said that when it comes to manipulating aging, “the things that are going to really count are underlying control mechanisms that regulate multiple kinds of cellular events.” The real challenge, he believes, is figuring out what ties together all of the processes that cause our bodies to unravel.
How psychology can help people live more climate-friendly lives—lessons from around the world (msn.com)
The Case Against Einstein: Why the Physicist’s Most Popular Theory Must Be Wrong (msn.com)
Most of the land humans need to thrive is unprotected, new study finds (msn.com)
15 George Carlin Quotes That Are as True Now as They Were Then (msn.com)
What We Can Learn from the World’s Most Eco-Friendly Countries (msn.com)
25 American States Nobody Wants to Visit Anymore (msn.com)
Why string theory requires extra dimensions (msn.com)
The 17 Unhappiest States in America (msn.com)