Why Do We Age?
The 9 Causes of Aging
Have you ever wondered why we get old and sick as time goes by? Most of us want to live longer, but we want those extra years to be healthy and full of life. Good news: Scientists have been working hard to understand aging and find ways to slow it down, so we can enjoy more years without health problems.
In 2013, a group of scientists, led by Carlos López-Otin, made a big breakthrough. They published a study called the “Hallmarks of Aging,” which has become really famous in the scientific world. This study has motivated many researchers to tackle the problem of aging.
These scientists, known as “geroscientists,” aim to help us live longer and healthier lives. They focus on studying the aging process and want to reduce the risk of diseases that come with getting older, like cancer, heart issues, Alzheimer’s, and more.
The 9 Causes of Aging
The “Hallmarks of Aging” study lists nine things that make us age. Let’s break them down in simpler terms:
Genomic Instability: Imagine our DNA is like a book with typos. As we age, the typos pile up because our DNA repair system doesn’t work as well. This can lead to aging and disease.
Telomere Attrition: Think of telomeres as the protective caps on our genetic information. They wear down as we get older, like the plastic tips on shoelaces. When they get too short, our DNA becomes vulnerable.
Epigenetic Changes: This is like the control panel for our genes. As we age, the control panel gets messed up due to things in our environment, and it affects how our genes work.
Loss of Protein Quality: Our cells have defenders against stress, but after years of stress, proteins in our cells get damaged.
Deregulated Nutrient-Sensing: We have systems that make sure we get the right amount of nutrients, but over time, these systems get damaged.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria are like the powerhouses of our cells. As they age, they start to get damaged, and that affects our whole body.
Cellular Senescence: This is when cells lose the ability to divide and start causing problems in our body.
Stem Cell Decline: Our stem cells, which help repair our bodies, lose their ability to divide as we age.
Altered Cell Communication: As we get older, cells don’t talk to each other properly, leading to inflammation and hormonal changes.
All these things are interconnected and make aging complex.
Scientists are studying them to find ways to slow down aging and help us live longer, healthier lives.
Carlos López-Otin’s study defined these causes based on how they affect aging. Researchers hope that by understanding and addressing them, we can find ways to extend our lives and stay healthier for longer.
Author: Brady Hartman (Adapted from LongevityFacts.com)
Original Source: Carlos López-Otín, et al. “The Hallmarks of Aging.” (2013) Cell, Volume 153, Issue 6, 1194–1217. Available Online.
