| The Wear and Tear Theory | | | | and on how we actually live. |
| The Wear and Tear Theory was first introduced by | | | | Anti-aging medicine attempts to prevent damage to |
| Dr. August Weismann, a German biologist in 1882. He | | | | our cells and increase repair of DNA to help us |
| believed aging occurred when the body and its cells | | | | escape our genetic destinies, at least to some |
| were damaged by overuse and abuse. The major | | | | extent. |
| organs of the body such as the liver, stomach, | | | | The Free Radical Theory |
| kidneys, skin and so on are worn down by toxins in | | | | This development in anti-aging research was first |
| our diet and in the environment, by excessive intake | | | | introduced by R. Gerschman in 1954 and developed |
| of fat, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine, by the | | | | by Dr. Denham Harman of the University of |
| ultra-violet rays of the sun and by the many other | | | | Nebraska, College of Medicine. Free radical is a term |
| physical and emotional stresses to which we subject | | | | used to describe any molecule that differs from |
| our bodies. Simply using the organs over time wears | | | | conventional molecules. Free radicals possess a free |
| them out even if you never touch a cigarette or | | | | electron that makes it react with other molecules in |
| have a glass of wine and stayed out of the sun, etc. | | | | highly destructive ways. |
| Abuse just wears them out quicker. He also believed | | | | The theory holds that free-radical damage begins at |
| it takes place on the cellular level. | | | | birth and continues until we die. In our youth its |
| Nutritional supplements and other treatments can help | | | | effects are fairly minor because the body has |
| reverse the aging process by stimulating the body's | | | | extensive repair and replacement mechanisms that in |
| own ability to repair and maintain its organs and cells. | | | | healthy young people function to keep cells and |
| The Neuroendocrine Theory | | | | organs in working order. With age, the accumulated |
| The neuroendocrine theory was developed by | | | | effects of free-radical damage begin to take their toll |
| Vladimir Dilman, Ph.d. The theory elaborates on the | | | | and are part of what ages our cells. Free-radical |
| wear and tear theory by focusing on the | | | | disruption of cell metabolism may also create mutant |
| neuroendocrine system that governs the release of | | | | cells leading to cancer and death. Free radicals attack |
| our hormones and other vital bodily elements. | | | | collagen and elastin. Collagen and elastin are the |
| Different organs release various hormones under the | | | | substances that keep our skin moist, smooth, flexible |
| governance of the hypothalamus, a walnut-sized | | | | and elastic. When these vital tissues fray and break |
| gland located within the brain. Hormone levels are high | | | | under the assault of free radicals, we begin to notice |
| in youth and account for menstruation in women and | | | | folds of skins and deep-cut wrinkles. |
| high libido in both sexes. As we get older the body | | | | Another way of looking at free-radical changes is to |
| produces lower levels of hormones which can have | | | | think of it as rust and our aging process is similar to |
| serious effects on our functioning. Hormones help | | | | the rusting away of a once-intact piece of metal. |
| repair and regulate our bodily functions. When aging | | | | Oxygen itself is free radicals and so our breathing |
| causes a drop in hormone production, it causes a | | | | and aerobic exercise generates free radicals that help |
| decline in our body's ability to repair and regulate | | | | us along the aging process. |
| itself. | | | | Substances that prevent harmful effects of oxidation |
| The hormone replacement therapy is a frequent | | | | are antioxidants. This is why specialists in anti-aging |
| component of any anti-aging treatment and helps to | | | | medicine prescribe a host of natural and |
| reset the body's hormonal clock and then reverse or | | | | manufactured antioxidants to help combat the |
| delay the effects of aging. The theory holds that if | | | | effects of aging. Many vitamins and minerals and |
| our hormones are being produced at youthful levels | | | | other substances fight aging by acting as free-radical |
| the cells of our bodies are stimulated to active and | | | | scavengers. |
| we stay young. | | | | Source: The American Academy of Anti-Aging |
| The Genetic Control Theory | | | | Medicine |
| This theory focuses on the genetic programming | | | | Disclaimer: These statements have not been |
| encoded within our DNA. From birth we are equipped | | | | evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The |
| with a unique genetic code, which has a great deal to | | | | information in this article is not intended to diagnose, |
| say about how quickly we age and how long we live. | | | | treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health |
| When our biological clock goes off it signals our | | | | concerns should be addressed by a qualified health |
| bodies first to age and then to die. The timing on this | | | | care professional. |
| genetic clock is subject to enormous variation and | | | | This article is FREE to publish with the resource box. |
| depends upon what happens to us as we grow up | | | | |