Aging: What Have We Done?

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Monday, August 25th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

The aging process is definitely something we all wish we could avoid, but unfortunately it is not an option. The good news however is that we are all capable of manipulating the process thereby slowing it down. There are several lifestyle choices that can have devastating effects on our bodies by aging us inside and out. It should be noted however that it is not to late to make changes and start to repair the damage we have inflicted.

Sun damage is the number one cause of aging skin. For decades many have spent endless amounts of time and money trying to acquire the perfect golden tan and the darker the better. It has long been suggested that this sun worshipping would one day have consequences but the advice seemed to fall on deaf ears. The effects of the sun can take years to visibly show themselves however under the surface of the skin the damage is almost instantaneous.

Sunlight damages the cells and fibers of skin layers with a multitude of effects including wrinkles, freckles, moles, age spots, fine visible veins, skin tearing and bruising. UV radiation is also the a major creator of free radicals (unstable oxygen molecules) which can lead to the formation of skin cancer. The risk of developing basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas is determined largely by an individuals lifetime exposure to UV radiation and their pigment protection. On the other hand it is believed that the major risk factor for melanomas is the amount of exposure to the sun before the age of 20.

If smoking is part of your daily routine then you must quit if you want to stop or even reverse the damage that it is causing your body. The damage that smoking has on your internal organs actually ages you 10 to 20 years beyond your natural age. It is also the second leading cause of visible aging of the skin.

Smoking affects skin health but several different means. The small capillaries of the skin become constricted which prevents transportation of the necessary oxygen and nutrients to the skin cells. Vitamin A levels (which provide protection against sun damage) in the body are depleted. The absorption of Vitamin C a vital antioxidant is inhibited. Collagen which is vital to the skin’s structure and elasticity is compromised by the increased production of an enzyme which breaks down the collagen. Wrinkles appear around the mouth and eyes from continued creasing of these area from the action associated with smoking, “the smoker’s face”.

Stress may also be a factor in aging. The correlation between stress and disease has been shown and accepted in the past several years, now the emphases has shifted to aging. Telomeres are cap like structures at the ends of our chromosomes (the molecules that carry our genes). Telomeres function by protecting our DNA as our cells grow and divide. As telomeres shorten they are less able to provide protection and eventually the cells deteriorate and die. Chronic stress may hasten the shriveling of telomeres which could ultimately speed the body’s deterioration and shorten the lifespan. Allow the concept of aging is still being researched, it is a fact that stress has many negative effects of the body therefore prevention should be key.

A great lifestyle can make a significant difference for people as they age. Ideally prevention should start when we are young but for a large majority of individuals this is not the reality. It is important to remember it is never to late to make changes in you daily habits and routines. It is important to focus on changes that will not only provide more quantity of life but quality. We are all looking to live longer but we also want to live better.

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