Exposed to the elements – what drives aging?

Christopher Thomas

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. General, Recent Articles — By Christopher Thomas on April 19, 2011

If you leave things unprotected to the elements they will ultimately age and perish quicker. Colors will fade. Parts will become more brittle and stiff. This is not too far off what happens in the human body. For example, without adequate protection, a life in the outdoors increases our exposure to ultraviolet radiation, and photo-aging of the skin and the wrinkles that it brings will increase accordingly. This is the basis of the “weathered” appearance.

Inside the human body, there are also a number of damaging elements that contribute to the decline in structure and function associated with aging. And when we intervene to reduce our exposure we can help improve our health and prolong our lives. However, it is important to keep in mind that none are the only reason for aging, nor the only thing that should be targeted. In fact, addressing only one component of aging may be problematic. For example, even though antioxidants may reduce stress in our cells, some antioxidants have been shown to cause net harm, possibly by activating damaging pro-oxidant pathways to restore the equilibrium.

Equally, if you allow a cell limitless regenerative abilities, and not prevent age-related damage and reprogramming of it’s genes (DNA), you may create an abnormal cell that just keeps on growing and invading, like a cancer. But staying out of the elements (of aging), is as a good place to start as any.

Oxidative stress & aging – should we take antioxidants?

During metabolism a small proportion of oxygen is converted into toxic products, collectively known as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS or free radicals). When attacked by free radicals, proteins, DNA and lipids don’t work as they should so function declines. As we get older and our systems for metabolizing oxygen become less efficient, our production of free radicals increases. If the ...

Oxidative stress & aging – should we take