Almost everyone experiences signs of aging. But there are some people who seem to defy their age.
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| Almost everyone experiences signs of aging. But there are some people who seem to defy their years. (Source: Mental Health) |
According to Bluezones , Great British Bake Off judge Mary Berry is now 80 years old but continues to inspire people around the world about baking and enjoying life.
Or actor Paul Rudd was named People magazine's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2021 at the age of 52 but still looks like he's in his 30s. So is age just a number?
As a result, researchers have focused on understanding the causes and risk factors for age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, dementia, osteoporosis, and cancer. But many people overlook the main risk factor for all of these diseases: aging.
More than any individual risk factor like smoking or lack of exercise, the number of years you live predicts the onset of disease. Aging increases the risk of many chronic diseases by up to a thousandfold.
Age is a major risk factor for several chronic diseases, but it is an unreliable indicator of how quickly your body declines or how susceptible you are to age-related diseases.
This is because there is a difference between chronological age (the number of years you have lived) and biological age (which refers to how young or old you are compared to your chronological age, in this case your physical and functional abilities).
As a scientist, I’m more interested in biological age, which is a more accurate measure of health age, or years lived in good health, than chronological age, and doesn’t correlate directly with wrinkles and gray hair, said Aditi Gurkar, a professor at the University of Pittsburgh.
The elderly rapidly experience functional decline at a rate faster than their chronological age.
This expert said that her grandmother lived to be 83 years old but was bedridden and suffered from dementia in her later years, she aged very quickly. On the other hand, her grandfather also lived to be 83 years old but he was still active and lively until his death.
Genetics and biological age
Aging is multifaceted. It arises from a complex combination of genetic traits and is influenced by factors such as microbiome composition, environment, lifestyle, stress, diet, and exercise.
Genetics were once thought to have no influence on aging or longevity. However, in the early 1990s, researchers reported the first studies identifying genes that could extend the lifespan of a small roundworm.
Since then, many observations have demonstrated the influence of genetics on aging. For example, children of long-lived parents and even children with long-lived siblings tend to live longer themselves.
Researchers have also identified many genes that influence longevity and play a role in resilience and protection from stress. These include genes that repair DNA, protect cells from free radicals, and regulate fat levels.
However, genes are not the only factor that influences aging. In fact, genes probably account for only 20 to 30 percent of biological age. This suggests that other factors may have a strong influence on how the body ages.
Environmental and lifestyle impact
Researchers have found that environmental and lifestyle factors have a major influence on biological age, including social relationships, sleep habits, water intake, exercise, and diet.
Social connection is essential for happiness throughout life. But social connection can be difficult to maintain over time due to the loss of family and friends, depression, chronic illness, or other factors.
Several studies have reported strong links between social isolation and increased stress, morbidity, and mortality.
Similarly, diet and exercise are powerful factors that influence biological age.
Blue zones, the areas of the world where most people live, attribute their success to diet, exercise and social connection. Eating mostly plant-based meals and being active throughout the day are well-known secrets to health and longevity.
Although genetics are difficult to control, diet and exercise can be adjusted to delay the biological aging process.
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