Though it is an extremely natural process, defining aging is more difficult than you may think. Surely, it is a natural biological phenomenon which occurs as you age with the progression of time. But aging does not start at the same time for everyone. Furthermore, aging is a wide-ranging phenomenon. It is not just a physical process but also a psychological, intellectual and social one. Since all of these aspects of life have a bearing on your quality of life, all types of aging can affect your health.
However, if you think in a strictly biological sense, the effect of aging on your body is simply this: your organs gradually fail to function the way they used to, which leads to the slowing down of all biological processes of life - ultimately leading to a complete stoppage or death. While this is a completely natural process, many factors play into it and may lead to premature aging too. Leading an unhealthy lifestyle, both physical and psychological, can lead to premature aging.
Lack of proper nutrition and a balanced diet is just one factor that can cause premature aging. Exercise and physical activity is another such factor. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) suggests that disuse is a leading cause of musculoskeletal aging and so are health issues like obesity, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Access to healthcare, medications, social security and economic pressures may also play a role in determining the risk of premature aging.
Research shows that leading a healthy life with a nutritious diet, regular exercise and the best stress management techniques can go a long way in preventing premature aging. These techniques, whether natural or medicinal, are known as anti-aging techniques. In recent decades, anti-aging has become a key area of research with a focus on cell aging, skin aging and other aspects that can possibly be treated or postponed to ensure you have a longer, healthier life. Read this article to find out more about aging, premature aging and anti-aging.
What is aging and why does it happen?
Aging is a natural phenomenon that occurs to all living things whether they are plants, animals or humans. However, science is as yet unable to completely explain why and how people change as they get older. Some theories suggest aging is determined by your genetic makeup, while others suggest that exposure to ultraviolet light, the body and mind’s wear and tear, metabolism and other similar factors determine the aging process. The only current consensus regarding aging states that it is a complex phenomenon that varies from person to person depending on a number of influences including heredity, environment, culture, diet, exercise, leisure, past illnesses, mental health, underlying diseases, etc.
Each person ages differently, but there are a few stages of life which leave a slightly predictable trail of changes which may be seen as signs of normal aging. Reaching puberty and menarche (the age at which a woman has her first menstrual period) are signs of reproductive maturity and aging, for example. Pregnancy and menopause, similarly, indicate other stages of aging in women. In general, research suggests that some systems of aging may begin in the 30s while others are most likely to show up post the age of 50 years. Again, if you have genetically inherited diseases, infections or have developed other diseases due to your lifestyle habits or weight, then this aging may be exacerbated too.
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So, what happens to your body when you naturally age? Your body is made up of organs, tissues and cells which combine and work together for the proper, day-to-day function of your body. As you cross childhood and adolescence and enter adulthood, these organs, tissues and cells continue to lose some function throughout these stages. The subtle signs of this natural aging may not be visible until you cross into your 50s and 60s, which is when the various signs of aging like wrinkles, lower immunity, impaired or difficult movement, slower cognition and metabolism show up.
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What is premature aging?
While aging is a natural and normal process that all living things go through, premature aging is a different matter altogether. Premature aging is defined as a phenomenon where a person’s biological age is ahead of his or her chronological age. To make this concept clearer, you need to understand that your chronological age is the number of years you have been alive, i.e the number signified by your birth date. Your biological age, on the other hand, is the age you appear to be based on your health status.
There are many people whose biological age appears to be lower than their chronological age, meaning people whose health status announces them to be younger than their age signifies. People whose health status is worse than it should be at their chronological age are believed to be suffering from premature aging. Studies suggest that people who live in poverty and do not have access to information and healthcare services are most likely to suffer from premature aging. Other factors like underlying diseases (like autoimmune diseases or cancer), lifestyle habits, smoking addiction and alcoholism may also cause premature aging.
However, premature aging should not be confused with premature aging syndrome or progeria. Progeria is usually diagnosed at a very young age since aging is rapidly accelerated in this syndrome as well as in the associated syndromes of Werner syndrome and Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome. Premature aging is much slower than these syndromes, even if it is faster or appears earlier than natural aging.