Wanna Live To Be 100? The Theories of Aging 101
by Dr. John Maher
More Details at: http://www.RxforWellness.com

There are many theories of aging. But to keep things easy we will start with two basic categories; oxidation reactions and sub-optimal hormone levels.

Oxidation reactions occur when the combustion of oxygen that keeps us alive and well produces by-products called oxygen free radicals. When this process occurs in metals we call it rusting. When it happens in us we call it aging!

Free radicals are molecules that have lost an electron. With this happens to oxygen, we call it "singlet oxygen" because it has only one of its electrons left. This is a highly unstable condition. To restore balance the radical either tries to steal one electron away from , or donate the remaining one, to another nearby molecule. In so doing, the free radicals create "molecular mayhem", disrupting, damaging and destroying nearby cells. If DNA is involved, mutations occur, a favored theory of a common cause of cancer. In time, free radical damage accumulates, thereby aging us.

Free radicals are not only produced inside us, but we take them in through smoking, food, air and water pollution, x-rays, sun exposure, and various poisons to name the most common.

"Aging is a disease. The human life span simply reflects the level of free radical oxidative damage that accumulates in cells. When enough damage accumulates, cells can't survive properly anymore and they just give up." E.R. Stadtman, researcer on aging, NIH.

The other major theoretical cause of aging in this brief, introductory overview is sub-optimal hormone levels. As we age some hormones begin a precipitous decline that stongly parallels the onset of aging signs and symptoms. These include human growth hormone, melatonin, DHEA, androstenedione (made famous by Mark McQwire), testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone.

Conversly, insulin levels tend to rise, eventually culminating in adult onset diabetes. A relative rise in cortisol, the stress hormone, is all too common as well.

Although thyroid hormone doesn't generally fall with age, many anti-aging doctors insist that slow thyroid function is common, and when present, definitely hastens aging and heart disease.

Human Growth Hormone, aka HGH, as the name implies, stimulates the growth of our tissues. Our internal organs, skin, muscles, nerves and bones are all stimulated to grow by HGH. As our levels of growth hormone shrinks, so do we!

Melatonin helps us sleep and may help prevent cancer. One reason why people over 60 sometimes find it hard to go to sleep is declining melatonin levels. DHEA is a building block out of which estrogen and testosterone are made. (It is first converted to androstenedione, however.) DHEA also boosts are immune systems and our brain functions.

Testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone give us our sex drive, build muscle, skin and bone, keep our minds sharp, protect our hearts, and help us feel and be attractive.

Thyroid hormone helps keeps us energetic and trim. Along with the above hormones, it helps us burn fat. That spare tire that developes around our bellies at middle age (central obesity) has alot to do with lower hormone levels. That may be why your last diet didn't work!

Excess insulin levels are associated with diabetes, pre-diabetes, and the mysterious sounding "Syndrome X". When insulin no longer works well, known as insulin resistance, both insulin and then blood sugar rise. The excess blood sugar is forced into the body's tissues, damaging them with "advanced glycation end-products", known as "AGE" appropriately enough!

Cortisol levels, like insulin levels, don't decline with age. Rather they usually increase! Excess levels of this stress hormone is catabolic. That means it catabolises you, or literally "eats you up inside".

When cortisol and insulin are too high, they often lower Hgh, DHEA, and the sex hormones as well!

Dr. John H. Maher, Editor of the "Longevity News", your FREE at home study course in anti-aging. E-mail:  LRI4U@GALAXYMALL.COM http://www.galaxymall.com/health/lri

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