Aging Disorders

The gradual decline in mental and physical functioning with increasing chronological age is the phenomenon we term "aging" There has been a huge interest in medical science to discover how to "slow down the ravages of time" and help halt the aging process. There are steps a person can do to slow the aging process and possibly extend life. Minimizing one's exposure to free radicals from such things as heavy metals, chemical toxins, environmental pollutants, smoking, sunburn and radiation is important to enhance health and improve the immune system. Healthy lifestyle choices have been shown to influence health and longevity.

Signs and Symptoms

• Nervous System
  
  -  Peripheral: reduced reflexes, reduced receptors, reduced signal transduction
  -  CNS (Central Nervous System): reduced neuronal receptors
• Body Composition
  
  -  Decreased lean muscle mass
  -  Increased adipose tissue
  -  Decreased water volume (from 78% at birth to 50% in old age)
  -  Decreased bone density
• Cell Composition
  
  -  DNA damage
  -  Decreased intracellular water and increased extracellular water
  -  Deposition of lipofuscin (age spots)
  -  Declining energy production
• Auditory Function
  
  -  Reduced high frequency hearing
• Endocrine System
  
  -  Reduced hormone secretion
  -  Increased incidence of diabetes
• Eyes
  
  -  Cataracts
  -  Age-related macular degeneration
  -  Decreased lens flexibility
• Digestive Tract
  
  -  Decreased liver mass and function
  -  Decreased blood flow to digestive organs
  -  Increased transit time
  -  Reduced secretion of digestive enzymes and intrinsic factor
  -  Alterations in typical bowel habits
• Heart
  
  -  Decreased heart rate
  -  Increased action potential conduction time
  -  Decreased diastolic relaxation
  -  Atherosclerosis
  -  Hypercholesterolemia
• Immune System
  
  -  Decreased T-cell function
• Joints
  
  -  Decreased joint cartilage
  -  Fibrosis with decreased elasticity
• Nose
  
  -  Diminished sense of smell
• Lungs
  
  -  Decreased capacity and elasticity
• Kidneys
  
  -  Decreased filtration
  -  Decreased renal blood flow
  -  Decreased renal tubular secretion
• Blood Vessels
  
  -  Increased systolic blood pressure
  -  Increased peripheral resistance
  -  Hypertension

(Beers M and Berkow R, eds., The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy, 17th ed. Whitehouse Station, NJ: Merck Research Laboratories, 1999, p2504).

Possible Causes or Contributing Factors

1. It is generally believed that the aging process results from a combination of damage by free radicals and genetically dictated limits on the regeneration of new tissue cells. The generation of free radicals within cells is a normal part of the biochemical processes of life. Antioxidant enzymes and dietary antioxidants are designed to control these compounds to prevent damage to cell structure and function.
2. Free radical damage is exacerbated by:
   
   - Overeating
   - Exposure to environmental pollutants
   - Rancid dietary fats
   - Substance abuse - tobacco, alcohol, recreational drugs
   - Deficiency of a broad range of dietary antioxidants

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