Theories of Aging - Introduction
One of the best ways you will be able to successfully follow our anti-aging protocol is for you to “know the why” of aging, that is, to know the causes of aging. The reason for this is because the practice follows up on the why. This means that the practice and habits that seek to rid us of aging were formulated in direct response to the cause of aging.
To illustrate the point, let us take an example. One of the actual theories of aging which we will later present is the free-radical damage theory. In brief, the theory claims that agents called free radicals cause aging by oxidizing our cells. The practice to rid and prevent this occurrence is to eat foods rich in antioxidants. In addition our diets would be supported with antioxidant supplements. The point here is that by knowing the theory the practice will become more firmly implanted in your mind. So if and when you stray in your anti-aging habits, your mind will say, “Oops, I don’t want my cells to be open to free-radical damage.” Armed with this knowledge you will effectively aid yourself in staying the course set against unwanted health problems. Learning theory can best be used in this manner, and when it is, your success is more often guaranteed.
The theoretical menu of anti-aging is fairly lengthy and seemingly diverse. There are over a dozen theories on aging, but currently only 5 are widely accepted. These are the free radical damage theory, the hormonal theory, the telomere theory, the genetic control theory, and the wear and tear theory. Most aging theories fall into one of two major hypothesis –1) that aging is caused from within the cells and 2) aging is caused by random events outside the cells. Some refer to these as the Programmed Theory (from within the cell) or the Accidental (or Damage) Theory (from outside the cell). Proponents of the first broad category hold that we possess genetically programmed biological clocks that tell the body or certain parts of the body that it is time to start aging. The second hypothesis contends that extrinsic factors such as stressful environments, pollution, eating or drinking toxic products cause the body to age. The hormonal and telomere theories are examples of the first broad hypothesis while the free-radical theory can be seen to partake of both hypotheses.
Of the five theories considered here, the free radical theory and the hormone theory are both well known in the scientific and medical communities and to growing segments of the anti-aging minded population. The telomere theory is currently under intense scientific scrutiny and holds great promise for the future in anti-aging medicine. Two other predominant theories will also be considered.
