Here’s what we’ll cover in this blog post:
- Why do we age
- Cellular process that cause aging
- The hallmarks of aging
- How to target, halt, and reverse cellular aging
If you ask anyone how we age, you’re likely to get countless answers that only go skin deep. We can point to aging skin, wrinkles, graying hair, and even memory loss as signs that we’re aging. But not many explain what causes these signs of aging, or why we age.
The truth is, there are complex cellular processes that cause damage as we age. As that damage accumulates, we start to see the signs of aging. But when the signs are noticeable, the damage has already accumulated.
So, how can we reduce the signs of aging from a cellular level? To do that, we need to understand the cellular processes that cause aging, and how we can slow them down.
Why Do We Age?
Aging is caused by molecular damage accumulation and cellular dysfunction. From inflammation and genetic mutations to cell degeneration and stem cell exhaustion, scientists have observed that these same cellular processes cause damage across a diverse array of species, leading to age-related disease and disability.
These biomarkers contribute to the decline we associate with aging. They’re visible in liver spots and thinning hair, or when we find ourselves winded after climbing a set of stairs. But they also leave us more susceptible to age-related disease, which is why we’re at greater risk of disease as we age.
These cellular hallmarks are key to understanding how we age, and how we can age better. Longevity scientists have highlighted these hallmarks of aging as key to unraveling the mystery of living a longer, healthier life.
What Are the Hallmarks of Aging?
If you ask any experts why we age, they’ll point you to the hallmarks of aging. These hallmarks reflect the complex and multifaceted aging process that impacts every living organism, providing a framework for understanding and potentially altering the intricate processes that lead to aging.
Though scientists were aware of most of these processes for years, they were only compiled and identified in 2013. Since then, they’ve been recognized as contributing to age-related diseases and the reduction of our healthspan.
But just what are the hallmarks of aging, and what do they do?
The Hallmarks of Aging
- Genomic Instability: Genomic instability is DNA damage from genetic mutations. As DNA damage accumulates, cellular dysfunction and aging-related traits emerge.
- Telomere Attrition: Telomeres, protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, naturally shorten with each cell division. Once telomeres reach a critical length, cells enter a state of senescence or apoptosis. Telomere attrition is a key factor in the limited replicative capacity of cells and plays a role in the aging process.
- Epigenetic Alterations: This means modifications to DNA that influence gene expression without altering genetic code. Over time, alterations in epigenetic patterns can change cellular function, causing aging-related phenotypes.
- Loss of Proteostasis: Proteostasis is a cell’s ability to regulate protein synthesis, folding, and degradation. Accumulation of misfolded or damaged proteins can lead to cellular dysfunction and age-related diseases like Alzheimer’s.
- Deregulated Nutrient Sensing: Dysregulation of nutrient sensing pathways (like insulin and mTOR signaling), interrupts cellular homeostasis, causing metabolic imbalances and increased susceptibility to age-related diseases.
- Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Mitochondria are the powerhouses of cells, producing energy through oxidative phosphorylation. Over time, mitochondrial function declines, leading to increased production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and impaired energy production.
- Cellular Senescence: Cellular senescence is a state in which cells cease to divide but remain metabolically active. Senescent cells can cause tissue dysfunction, inflammation, and, over time, aging.
- Stem Cell Exhaustion: The regenerative capacity of stem cells diminishes as we age due to reduced proliferation and an altered microenvironment. Stem cell exhaustion contributes to impaired tissue maintenance and repair.
- Altered Intercellular Communication: Communication between cells is essential for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Aging disrupts intercellular communication through changes in signaling pathways and the secretion of inflammatory molecules. This altered communication contributes to chronic inflammation and age-related pathologies.
What Impacts the Hallmarks of Aging?
Cellular damage accumulates as a result of environmental stressors, genetic factors, and poor lifestyle habits.
- Environmental factors
Anything harmful from our natural or artificial environment can cause harm to cells, like microplastics, air pollutants, brake dust from vehicles, or UV light from the sun. - Genetic factors
Some natural genetic processes—like developing puberty or menopause—contribute to cellular damage as they drive key transitions in our lives. The best example of this is our hyper-inflammatory response as we age. - Lifestyle habits
Everything from poor diet and high stress to a sedentary lifestyle filled with smoking and drinking can cause cellular damage over time.
The combination of these factors create the perfect environment for cellular damage to accumulate over time, allowing the hallmarks of aging to emerge.
But cellular damage doesn’t have to be a permanent mark on our healthspan. We can take efforts to prevent or even reverse this damage.
How to Reverse Aging Damage
Once we know what the hallmarks of aging are, we can fight back against the cellular processes that cause aging.
These simple lifestyle choices are our best line of defense for optimizing our aging processes and preventing cellular damage.
A diet rich in antioxidants, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that combat oxidative stress, one of the primary drivers of cellular damage. Engaging in consistent physical activity is equally vital, as exercise not only reduces inflammation but also promotes the repair of DNA and supports mitochondrial health.
Managing stress through mindfulness practices, meditation, or yoga can significantly mitigate the adverse effects of chronic stress on cellular health. Chronic stress has been linked to accelerated cellular aging, making stress reduction techniques an essential component of an anti-aging regimen.
Adequate sleep is another pillar of maintaining cellular integrity, as it allows for the body’s repair processes to occur optimally. During sleep, the body engages in various restorative processes that are critical for preventing the accumulation of cellular damage.
Hydration is often overlooked but is essential for ensuring that the body’s cellular processes function smoothly. Water is crucial for nutrient transport and helps in the removal of waste products from the body, which can otherwise contribute to cellular aging.
Exploring supplements can help fill the gaps that can’t be provided by lifestyle decisions alone. Supplements that support cellular health like omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, and CoQ10 can all support mitochondrial function, reduce oxidative stress, and improve our ability to repair DNA.
The Future of Cellular Aging
As scientists continue studying the hallmarks of aging, we’ll begin to understand more about the cellular processes that cause aging. Better yet, we’ll be able to address these processes at the source and develop targeted interventions to halt or even reverse aging damage.
Many targeted interventions are already being studied, and the results inspired us to start AgelessRx.
Treatments like Metformin can target hallmarks of aging like epigenetic alteration and cellular senescence, while Low Dose Naltrexone and NAD+ can target hallmarks like mitochondrial dysfunction. Other interventions, like AgelessRx’s Infinite Longevity Support, take a 360-degree approach to wellness by targeting all 9 hallmarks of aging.
As research continues, you can consult with our longevity experts to explore which interventions are available, and which are right for you.
By setting a foundation with healthy lifestyle choices and targeted interventions, we can push back against all aspects of aging—including those we can’t see—and live a longer, healthier life.
Note: The above statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.