Why Do We Age, and Can Anything Be Done to Stop or Slow it? – Healthline

Aging refers to the physiological changes we experience during our lifespan. Its also an inevitable part of life.

After all, our cells arent made to last forever. The structures and functions in our cells decline over time.

But why does this happen? For decades, scientists have been studying the subject. There are currently more than 300 theories on why we age, and experts are learning more every day.

Lets explore why humans age, and how you can slow down the effects.

Aging can be categorized into two types:

Cellular aging is due to intrinsic factors. Its related to the biological aging of cells.

Cells are the basic building blocks of the body. Your cells are programmed to divide, multiply, and perform basic biological functions.

But the more cells divide, the older they get. In turn, cells eventually lose their ability to function properly.

Cellular damage also increases as cells get older. This makes the cell less healthy, causing biological processes to fail. Cellular damage accumulates over time, too.

Damage-related and environmental aging is related to extrinsic factors. It refers to how our surroundings and lifestyle affect how we age.

This includes factors like:

Over time, these factors can damage our cells and contribute to aging.

Everyone experiences both types of aging. However, each form of aging varies from person to person, which explains why we age in different ways.

Its generally accepted that aging is caused by multiple processes, rather than one reason. Its also likely that these processes interact and overlap with each other.

Here are some of the most prominent theories:

Programmed aging theories posit that were programmed, or designed, to age. It maintains that cells have a predetermined lifespan thats naturally encoded into the body.

Programmed theories are also called active or adaptive aging theories. These theories include:

Programmed theories have many supporters. However, they suggest that habits linked to longevity, like quitting smoking and exercise, are useless. This is likely inaccurate, as research has continuously proven that these habits affect life expectancy.

Error theories, or damage theories, are the opposite of programmed theories. They hypothesize that aging is caused by cellular changes that are random and unplanned.

Error theories of aging include:

The genetic theory proposes that aging primarily depends on genetics. In other words, our life expectancy is regulated by the genes we got from our parents.

Since genes have predetermined traits, its thought this theory overlaps with programmed theories of aging.

Genetic theories include:

The limitation of genetic theories is that they disregard the importance of external factors. In fact, its estimated that just 25 percent of lifespan is influenced by genetics. This suggests that environmental and lifestyle factors play a major role.

Natural selection refers to the adaptive traits of an organism. These traits can help the organism adjust to their environment, so theyre more likely to survive.

According to evolutionary theories, aging is based on natural selection. It posits that an organism begins aging after they have reached their peak of reproduction and have passed down adaptive traits.

Evolutionary theories include:

These theories are still being researched and require more evidence.

Another theory is that biochemical reactions cause aging. These reactions occur naturally and continuously throughout life.

This theory is rooted in various concepts, including:

In recent decades, life expectancy around the world has increased. This is due many factors, including:

These factors can protect our cells and reduce cellular damage, thus increasing life expectancy.

In most parts of the world, women live longer than men. This is due to several biological, social, and environmental factors.

Women, on average, have more estrogen than men. Estrogen is the female sex hormone. Its been found to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects, which may protect women from certain diseases.

In contrast, the male sex hormone testosterone may suppress the immune system. Men typically have more of this hormone.

There are also behavioral differences between men and women. Generally, compared to men, women:

Though aging is inevitable, its possible to slow down some of the effects. You can do this by following healthy lifestyle habits.

Heres how to slow aging:

Aging is likely caused by a combination of reasons. Some theories suggest cells have a predetermined lifespan, while others claim its caused by error and damage. Other theories posit that aging is due to genetic, evolution, or biochemical reactions.

Aging is normal, but following a healthy lifestyle can help you live longer. Habits like eating well, exercising regularly, and wearing sunscreen can reduce your risk of disease and improve your quality of life.

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Why Do We Age, and Can Anything Be Done to Stop or Slow it? - Healthline