Why Do We Age? Unraveling the Secrets of Lifespan and Health Span
- RRHS ScienceNHS
- Nov 23, 2024
- 2 min read
By: Amrutha Charugundla
Aging is a complex biological process that affects every organism on the planet. But why do we age, and is it possible to slow down or even reverse this process? At the heart of aging lies the gradual breakdown of our body's cellular machinery. One key factor is DNA damage. Our DNA is constantly under attack from various sources like UV rays, pollution, and metabolic byproducts. Though our cells have mechanisms to repair this damage, they become less efficient as we age, leading to genetic errors that accumulate over time. Mitochondria, the energy factories of our cells, also play a pivotal role. Over time, mitochondrial function declines, leading to reduced energy production and increased oxidative stress, which damages tissues and accelerates aging. So, what can be done about aging? Recent research is exploring ways to explore the lifespan (the number of years we live) and health span (the number of healthy, disease-free years). Scientists are investigating senolytics, drugs that target and remove senescent cells, thereby reducing inflammation and rejuvenating tissues. Another area of interest is NAD+ supplementation. NAD+ is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production and DNA repair, and boosting its levels has shown promise in preclinical trials. Moreover, interventions like caloric restriction and intermittent fasting have demonstrated the potential to extend lifespan in animal models by reducing oxidative stress and improving cellular repair mechanisms. Advances in gene editing and stem cell research also pave the way for groundbreaking therapies that may one day change how we experience aging. While immortality remains a far-off dream, understanding the biological processes of aging could soon allow us to live longer, healthier lives, transforming how we think about growing old.
The age old question: how do we stop (or perhaps reverse) aging (pun intended)? Puns aside, I find this topic to be of extensive interest, as this is a universal issue all humans eventually have to contend with one way or another. I do have one topic of interest, however: If a treatment, or group of treatments, were to be able to completely cure somebody of aging, then what ethical implications, especially that of surrounding population, really must take place? Is modern society ready for a world where nobody dies of age related diseases? Perhaps we shall know that answer in the future, and perhaps, our lifetime.
This is such a fascinating take on the science of aging, Amrutha! I love how you’ve broken down the complex biological processes like DNA damage and mitochondrial function in a way that’s easy to follow. The connection between cellular repair mechanisms and interventions like NAD+ supplementation and senolytics is particularly intriguing—it’s amazing to think how close we might be to significantly extending health span. I also appreciate how you included practical strategies like caloric restriction, which makes the science feel more accessible to everyday life. Have you come across any studies on how these interventions could be personalized based on genetics or lifestyle? That could be an exciting next frontier to explore!