Aging phase is radically different than all other life phases

This is the starting point for those interested in retarding age-related biological deterioration.

An incredibly important tenet of aging is the concept that the aging phase (generally late 50s onward) is radically different from all other life phases.  You may say you already know that because older adults are expected to experience a loss of fitness, a slowing down, a vulnerability to disease, and biological changes rarely evident in prior years.  Interestingly, most of these “inevitable” age changes are modifiable. Most importantly, the modification rests with the individual!

Life phases – their significance

Consider the life phases prior to aging:  conception to birth,  postnatal period through infancy, childhood, adolescence and adulthood (generally 20-50 years of age) . These are all life phases that are predominately (approximately 80% or more) dictated by genetic programs.  That is to say, that each of us did very little to progress within each phase or facilitate advancement from one phase to the next.  Consequently, we advanced through these phases with relative ease, thanks to our genes (DNA).  Environmental factors such as diet and exercise were also essential but  offered  a modest contribution compared to the genetic influence. 

Unlike these life phases, there are no genetic programs for aging.  Whereas several genes have been discovered with anti-aging or pro-aging attributes, researchers have not observed a full-blown genetic program that regulates the “aging” life phase of an adult older than 50 years.  Therefore, the hereditary contributions minimally to aging.  This conclusion rests on (1) theoretical data that indicates a genetic program for aging is biologically impossible (subject of another blog) and (2) studies of identical twins separated at birth and raised in different environments that show separated twins do not die at the same time as would be expected if there existed a genetic program for aging.  Additionally,  longevity studies with laboratory rodents inbred to possess virtually identical genes have revealed that lifespan is controlled by environmental – not genetic- influences.

Aging is an individual responsibility

In conclusion, of what value is this knowledge?  It is incredibly important because it says that (1) healthy longevity is largely the responsibility of the individual and (2) one can no longer blame the decrements associated with aging on parents and grandparents.  Basically, results of lifespan studies conclude that genes contribute about 20% to aging, whereas the environment, generally implied to mean life-style choices e.g. relating to exercise, diet, UV radiation, pollution exposure, sleep quality and quantity, stress etc, impact aging up the remaining whopping 80%.

In upcoming blogs, I will discuss the most meaningful ways to manage aging based on findings from clinical trials and scientific experimentation.  In  particular, I will start with perhaps the most serious age change. This is a gradual decline in muscle strength and actual muscle size.  These changes eventually lead to increased risk for diabetes, weight gain and most importantly, reduced mobility/balance and loss of independence. Proven interventions minimize these losses.