Understanding the Hallmarks of Aging and Your Metabolic Clock
The hallmarks of aging help determine the difference between chronological age (such as the age you turned on your last birthday) and biological age (which reflects how the aging process has impacted your physical appearance, as well as physical and mental capabilities). Most of these hallmarks are the result of genetics, though they may or may not be amplified by external and environmental factors.
The 9 Hallmarks of Aging
There are a total of 9 hallmarks of aging.
1. Genomic Instability. This refers to a high frequency of mutations within the single genome. These alterations appear to point toward various types of cancers.
2. Telomere Attrition. The older you are, the shorter your telomere length. Our chromosomes store our genetic information. And each one has a cap, or telomere, at the end to protect the chromosome and control how many times it can divide. The result? We have lower levels of cells. Telomere attrition is often due to stress — hence why it is usually one of the reasons we say we age.
3. Epigenetic alterations. This refers to changes in the structure of one’s DNA. Though it is important to note it does not change the DNA itself. These changes can occur due to age, diet, fitness levels, drug use, and various chemicals.
4. Loss of Proteostasis. Proteins have a very big role in everything within your body. Proteostasis is when your body has healthy proteins that are handling all aspects of work within the body as they should. Not having enough healthy proteins can lead to serious diseases such as Alzheimer’s. It doesn’t happen overnight, but rather slowly.
5. Deregulated Nutrient Sensing. As we age, we have metabolic pathways that respond to nutrition. Nutrients such as amino acids and glucose pass through these pathways. And, the more they do, the more we age. For instance, eating too many fast sugars and unhealthy fats overworks the pathway and speeds up aging.
6. Mitochondrial Dysfunction. Mitochondria is the energy power within our cells. They help our bodies to function properly and to maintain themselves. Due to various reasons, they can become impaired and start to become dysfunctional. When there isn’t enough energy to go around, aging happens.
7. Cellular Senescence. The older we get, the more senescent cells appear within our bodies. These are damaged cells that refuse to die. Unfortunately, they harm the surrounding healthy cells. They, too, will accelerate aging.
8. Stem Cell Exhaustion. Stem cells build up the important cells within our tissues. As time passes, stem cells begin to die. In turn, this results in our tissues lacking in maintenance – and the entire body begins to feel it.
9. Altered InterCellular Communication. As we get older, more substances find their way into our bloodstream – especially those that lead to inflammation. Cells are damaged and aging speeds up when this happens.
The Impacts on the Metabolic Clock
Those who study aging and longevity are finding that there is a sort of metabolic clock that may actually control our aging process. It takes into account all types of metabolic alterations, a lack of balance, and one’s level of biological fitness. Researchers are finding that aging and the biological clock’s control of your metabolism are connected.
By digging deeper into this information we may be able to slow down time when it comes to aging.
Learn More About the Hallmarks of Aging with Longevity Herbs
At Longevity Herbs, we know how wonderful it is to feel youthful and full of life. Finding the right way to help your body slow down the aging process on a cellular level is important for longevity. Let us help you find what you are looking for. Contact us today!
