Natural Health Alternatives Blog

What is Aging? 

Aging is an inevitable and universal fact of life. According to the medical journal Biogerontology, “Aging is the progressive failing ability of the body's own intrinsic and genetic powers to defend, maintain and repair itself in order to keep working efficiently.”

Humans pass through various phases of life and while many prefer to wear their aging lines, spots, and wrinkles with pride and as a sign of indomitable experience, others may prefer to prolong their youthful beauty and unmarred skin. What we knew about anti-aging has now evolved into a multi-million dollar industry with medical practitioners developing therapies not only for aesthetic purposes but also for the longevity of health of humans from within.

Old age is not unexpected, but medical science has made amazing breakthroughs in treatments and drugs to not only treat aging symptoms from outside but also to prolong one’s life and youth by strengthening the immune system, memory, eyesight, muscles and to maintain an overall balance of good health that is the sign of youth.

Symptoms of Aging or What Causes it?

Humans are made up of more than 30 trillion cells, which in earlier phases of life are expanding and growing at an astounding rate. However, as we cross over the threshold of 30 years in age, the signs of aging begin to be much more noticeable. Although genetics, environment, illnesses, diet, and exercise are common factors that can influence the impact of aging on a person, aging has some common symptoms that are:

•    Weaker bones and muscles

•    Urinary incontinence

•    Diminished visual acuity

•    Decrease in peripheral vision

•    Wrinkles and sagging skin

•    Greying of hair

•    Hearing loss

•    Decrease in overall energy

•    Slowing of memory processes

•    Greater risk of disease such as hypothermia, infections, cardiovascular and bone diseases, digestive issues

•    Limited movement due to a stooped posture

Treatments and Side Effects

While there is no Fountain of Youth, there are some cutting edge treatments that are making a breakthrough in anti-aging medicine. According to most scientists, aging is mainly due to oxidation, methylation, glycation, chronic inflammation and hormonal deregulation which can be treated with:

•    CO2 fractional laser therapy

•    A new wrinkle filling injections with main ingredients such as Perlane, Artifill, Radiesse, and Juvéderm.

•    Anti-oxidants such as CoQ10, Vitamin E and C

•    Peptides

•    Vitamin A (Retinol and Renova)

•    Anti-aging sunscreens with Helioplex and Mexoryl

However, it is quite difficult to find the right ingredients that will suit a particular skin type. Many of these ingredients and treatments strip the skin of its natural outer protective layer. So we might ask if the benefits are worth the risk.

A research headed by Harvard Professor David Sinclair has developed an anti-aging pill that can help program cells, regenerate organs and improve the overall lifespan of humans. However, the development and human trials are still in the air as stem cell regeneration is a relatively new branch of science. Mostly, medical practitioners advise their patients to stay young from within by improving their lifestyles, increasing physical activity, decreasing stress and eating a balanced diet.

By the year 2050, 10 billion humans will inhabit this planet, with over 2 billion people over the age of 60. Anti-aging medicine is not a luxury but a necessity and many scientists are now agreeing that primary prevention for diseases can help reduce risk factors connected with some life-threatening and chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.