BIOLOGICAL BIOLOGICAL THEORIES OF THEORIES OF

AGINGAGING

DNA and Genetic Theories Neuroendocrine Theory Free Radical Theory Membrane Theory of Aging Hayflick Limit Theory Mitochondrial Decline Theory Cross-Linking Theory

DNA and Genetic Theories

Some scientists regard this as a Some scientists regard this as a Planned Obsolescence TheoryPlanned Obsolescence Theory because it focuses upon the encoded because it focuses upon the encoded programming within our DNA. Our programming within our DNA. Our DNA is the blue-print of individual DNA is the blue-print of individual life obtained from our parents. life obtained from our parents.

Damage of the DNA can be Damage of the DNA can be accumulated from diet, lifestyle, accumulated from diet, lifestyle, toxins, pollution, radiation and other toxins, pollution, radiation and other outside influences.outside influences.

Thus, we each have the ability to Thus, we each have the ability to accelerate DNA damage or slow it accelerate DNA damage or slow it down.down.

One of the most recent theories One of the most recent theories regarding gene damage has been the regarding gene damage has been the Telomerase Theory of AgingTelomerase Theory of Aging telomerestelomeres (the sequences of (the sequences of nucleic acidsnucleic acids

extending from the ends of extending from the ends of chromosomeschromosomes), ), shorten every time a cell divides. shorten every time a cell divides.

This shortening of telomeres is believed to This shortening of telomeres is believed to lead to cellular damage due to the inability lead to cellular damage due to the inability of the cell to duplicate itself correctly. of the cell to duplicate itself correctly.

Each time a cell divides it duplicates Each time a cell divides it duplicates itself a little worse than the time before, itself a little worse than the time before, thus this eventually leads to cellular thus this eventually leads to cellular dysfunction, aging and indeed death.dysfunction, aging and indeed death.

Further recent studies show that Further recent studies show that telomeres can be repaired by the telomeres can be repaired by the introduction of the relevant hormone. introduction of the relevant hormone.

In other words, it may be possible to In other words, it may be possible to introduce the necessary hormone and introduce the necessary hormone and aid genetic repair, as well as the aid genetic repair, as well as the hormonal balance etc. hormonal balance etc.

Another key element in rebuilding the Another key element in rebuilding the disappearing telomeres is the enzyme disappearing telomeres is the enzyme telomerasetelomerase, (an enzyme so-far only , (an enzyme so-far only found in germ and cancer cells). found in germ and cancer cells).

Telomerase appears to repair and Telomerase appears to repair and replace telomeres helping to re-replace telomeres helping to re-regulate the clock that controls the regulate the clock that controls the life-span of dividing cells life-span of dividing cells

In future protocols it may be possible In future protocols it may be possible to introduce telomerase and with to introduce telomerase and with hormone replacement therapy, these hormone replacement therapy, these may help prevent DNA damage.may help prevent DNA damage.

Neuroendocrine Theory this theory elaborates on wear and tear by this theory elaborates on wear and tear by

focusing on the neuroendocrine system. focusing on the neuroendocrine system. This system is a complicated network of This system is a complicated network of

biochemicals that govern the release of biochemicals that govern the release of hormones which are altered by the hormones which are altered by the hypothalamus hypothalamus (walnut sized gland located in (walnut sized gland located in the brain)the brain)

The hypothalamus controls various chain-The hypothalamus controls various chain-reactions to instruct other organs and glands reactions to instruct other organs and glands to release their hormones etc. to release their hormones etc. (TRH,GnRH,CRH,GHRH, Prolactin inhibiting (TRH,GnRH,CRH,GHRH, Prolactin inhibiting and releasing hormone,Gastrointestinal and releasing hormone,Gastrointestinal neuropeptides and somatostatin). It controls neuropeptides and somatostatin). It controls the overall hormonal activitythe overall hormonal activity

But as we grow older the But as we grow older the hypothalamus loses it precision hypothalamus loses it precision regulatory ability and the receptors regulatory ability and the receptors which uptake individual hormones which uptake individual hormones become less sensitive to them.become less sensitive to them.

Accordingly, as we age the secretion Accordingly, as we age the secretion of many hormones declines and their of many hormones declines and their effectiveness (compared unit to unit) effectiveness (compared unit to unit) is also reduced due to the receptors is also reduced due to the receptors down-grading. down-grading.

One theory for the hypothalamus loss of One theory for the hypothalamus loss of regulation is that it is damaged by the regulation is that it is damaged by the hormone hormone cortisolcortisol (hormone secreted by the (hormone secreted by the adrenal glands and known to be a dark adrenal glands and known to be a dark hormone responsible for stress and hormone responsible for stress and increases with age)increases with age)

If cortisol damages the hypothalamus, If cortisol damages the hypothalamus, then over time it becomes a vicious cycle of then over time it becomes a vicious cycle of continued hypothalamic damage, leading continued hypothalamic damage, leading to an ever increasing degree of cortisol to an ever increasing degree of cortisol production and thus more hypothalamic production and thus more hypothalamic damage. damage.

This damage could then lead to This damage could then lead to hormonal imbalance as the hormonal imbalance as the hypothalamus loses its ability to hypothalamus loses its ability to control the system. control the system.

Such an argument demands the use Such an argument demands the use of cortisol of cortisol adjustersadjusters (such as (such as DHEADHEA, , Gerovital-H3 ®Gerovital-H3 ® or or PhenytoinPhenytoin) to help ) to help slow down the cortisol accumulation. slow down the cortisol accumulation. It is believed that hypothalamus It is believed that hypothalamus hormones are the next-generation of hormones are the next-generation of hormone replacement therapy.hormone replacement therapy.

Free Radical Theory The term free radical describes any The term free radical describes any

molecule that has a free electron, and this molecule that has a free electron, and this property makes it react with healthy property makes it react with healthy molecules in a destructive way.molecules in a destructive way.

Because the free radical molecule has an Because the free radical molecule has an extra electron it creates an extra negative extra electron it creates an extra negative charge. charge.

This unbalanced energy makes the free This unbalanced energy makes the free radical bind itself to another balanced radical bind itself to another balanced molecule as it tries to steal electrons. molecule as it tries to steal electrons.

In so doing, the balanced molecule becomes In so doing, the balanced molecule becomes unbalanced and thus a free radical itself. unbalanced and thus a free radical itself.

It is known that diet, lifestyle, drugs It is known that diet, lifestyle, drugs (e.g. tobacco and alcohol) and (e.g. tobacco and alcohol) and radiation etc., are all accelerators of radiation etc., are all accelerators of free radical production within the free radical production within the body.body.

The simple process of eating, drinking The simple process of eating, drinking and breathing forms free-radicals from and breathing forms free-radicals from the energy production cycles, as the the energy production cycles, as the body produces the universal energy body produces the universal energy molecule molecule Adenosine Adenosine TriphosphateTriphosphate ( (ATPATP). Note; oxygen is a potent free-). Note; oxygen is a potent free-radical producer.radical producer.

Free radicals are known to attack the Free radicals are known to attack the structure of cell membranes, which then structure of cell membranes, which then create metabolic waste products create metabolic waste products

Free radicals can however be Free radicals can however be transformed by free-radical scavengers transformed by free-radical scavengers (otherwise known as anti-oxidants). (otherwise known as anti-oxidants). Particular anti-oxidants will bind to Particular anti-oxidants will bind to particular free radicals and help to particular free radicals and help to stabilize them.stabilize them.

Free radicals come in a hierarchy Free radicals come in a hierarchy (according to their potential for damage) (according to their potential for damage) with the with the hydroxyl-radicahydroxyl-radical and the l and the superoxide-radicalsuperoxide-radical at the top of the list. at the top of the list.

It is therefore necessary to take a cross-It is therefore necessary to take a cross-section of anti-oxidants in order for the section of anti-oxidants in order for the process of elimination of the free process of elimination of the free radicals to occur, otherwise higher radicals to occur, otherwise higher damage free radicals may be converted damage free radicals may be converted into a greater number of lower damage into a greater number of lower damage free radicals.free radicals.

Such a broad cross-section of anti-Such a broad cross-section of anti-oxidants includes substances such as oxidants includes substances such as beta carotenebeta carotene, , vitamin Cvitamin C, , grape seed grape seed extract, vitamin Eextract, vitamin E and possibly also and possibly also stronger substances such as stronger substances such as HydergineHydergine, , MelatoninMelatonin and and VinpocetineVinpocetine..

Membrane Theory of Aging

According to this theory it is the age-According to this theory it is the age-related changes of the cells ability to related changes of the cells ability to transfer chemicals, heat and electrical transfer chemicals, heat and electrical processes that impair it.processes that impair it.

As we grow older the cell membrane As we grow older the cell membrane becomes less lipid (less watery and becomes less lipid (less watery and more solid). This impedes its efficiency more solid). This impedes its efficiency to conduct normal function and in to conduct normal function and in particular there is a toxic accumulation particular there is a toxic accumulation

This cellular toxin is referred to as This cellular toxin is referred to as lipofuscinlipofuscin and as we grow older and as we grow older lipofuscin deposits become more lipofuscin deposits become more present in the brain, heart and lungs present in the brain, heart and lungs and also in the skin. and also in the skin.

Indeed some of the skin age-pigments Indeed some of the skin age-pigments referred to as liver or age-spots are referred to as liver or age-spots are composed of lipofuscin. It is known composed of lipofuscin. It is known that Alzheimer Disease patients have that Alzheimer Disease patients have much higher levels of lipofuscin much higher levels of lipofuscin deposits than compared to their deposits than compared to their healthy controls.healthy controls.

The cells declining efficiency also means The cells declining efficiency also means that the essential and regular transfer of that the essential and regular transfer of sodium and potassium is impaired, thus sodium and potassium is impaired, thus reducing communication and impairment reducing communication and impairment of electrical and heat transfer.of electrical and heat transfer.

The development of The development of CentrophenoxineCentrophenoxine (Lucidril ®) is perhaps the most efficient (Lucidril ®) is perhaps the most efficient substance currently available which could substance currently available which could aid in the removal of lipofuscin deposits. aid in the removal of lipofuscin deposits.

Other substances that have shown an Other substances that have shown an ability to remove lipofuscin include DMAE ability to remove lipofuscin include DMAE and the amino-acids and the amino-acids Acetyl-L-Acetyl-L-CarnitineCarnitine and and CarnosineCarnosine..

Hayflick Limit Theory This theory suggests that the human This theory suggests that the human

cell is limited in the number of times it cell is limited in the number of times it can divide. Part of this theory may be can divide. Part of this theory may be affected by affected by cell waste accumulationcell waste accumulation (which is described in the (which is described in the Membrane Theory of AgingMembrane Theory of Aging).).

According to this theory the human According to this theory the human cells ability to divide is limited to cells ability to divide is limited to approximately 50-times, after which approximately 50-times, after which they simply stop dividing (and hence they simply stop dividing (and hence die).die).

It is believed that nutrition has an effect It is believed that nutrition has an effect on cells, with overfed cells dividing on cells, with overfed cells dividing much faster than underfed cells. much faster than underfed cells.

We also know that calorie restriction in We also know that calorie restriction in animals significantly increases their life-animals significantly increases their life-span. In essence less fed animals live span. In essence less fed animals live longer. Maybe it is because they are longer. Maybe it is because they are subject to less free radical activity. subject to less free radical activity.

The Hayflick Limit indicates the need to The Hayflick Limit indicates the need to slow down the rate of cell division if we slow down the rate of cell division if we want to live long lives. Cell division can want to live long lives. Cell division can be slowed down by diet and lifestyle etc.be slowed down by diet and lifestyle etc.

The use of The use of ribonucleic acidsribonucleic acids (RNAs, (RNAs, the building-blocks of DNA), improve the building-blocks of DNA), improve cell repair processes, enhance cell repair processes, enhance cellular capabilities and increase the cellular capabilities and increase the maximum number of cell divisions in maximum number of cell divisions in animals and vitro tests. animals and vitro tests.

Human clinical studies with RNA Human clinical studies with RNA supplements such as supplements such as NeyGerontNeyGeront ® ® and and RN13 ®RN13 ® indicate that there are a indicate that there are a number of biological, physiological number of biological, physiological and practical improvements for and practical improvements for geriatric patients.geriatric patients.

Mitochondrial Decline Theory

The mitochondria are the power The mitochondria are the power producing producing organellesorganelles found in every cell found in every cell of every organ. Their primary job is to of every organ. Their primary job is to create create Adenosine Adenosine TriphosphateTriphosphate ( (ATPATP) and ) and they do so in the various energy cycles they do so in the various energy cycles that involve nutrients such as that involve nutrients such as Acetyl-L-Acetyl-L-CarnitineCarnitine, , CoQ10CoQ10 ( (IdebenoneIdebenone), ), NADHNADH and some B vitamins etc.and some B vitamins etc.

ATP is literally the life giving chemical ATP is literally the life giving chemical because every movement, thought and because every movement, thought and action we make is generated from it. Yet action we make is generated from it. Yet very little very little ATPATP can be stored in the body. can be stored in the body.

it becomes apparent that the it becomes apparent that the mitochondria have to be very efficient mitochondria have to be very efficient and healthy, in order to produce a and healthy, in order to produce a continuous supply of essential continuous supply of essential ATPATP for for the necessary repair and regenerative the necessary repair and regenerative process to occur.process to occur.

Chemically speaking, under normal Chemically speaking, under normal conditions the mitochondria are fiery conditions the mitochondria are fiery furnaces and subject themselves to a furnaces and subject themselves to a lot of lot of free radicalfree radical damage (see the damage (see the Free Radical Theory of AgingFree Radical Theory of Aging). ).

They also lack most of the defenses They also lack most of the defenses found in other parts of the body, so as found in other parts of the body, so as we age the mitochondria become less we age the mitochondria become less efficient, fewer in number and larger. efficient, fewer in number and larger. Accordingly, Accordingly, ATPATP production declines. production declines.

As organs cannot borrow energy from As organs cannot borrow energy from one another, the efficiency of each one another, the efficiency of each organs mitochondria are essential to organs mitochondria are essential to that particular organs repair processes that particular organs repair processes and functions. If a particular organs and functions. If a particular organs mitochondria fail, then so does that mitochondria fail, then so does that organ (which of course can lead to organ (which of course can lead to death).death).

Enhancement and protection of the Enhancement and protection of the mitochondria is an essential part of mitochondria is an essential part of preventing and slowing aging. preventing and slowing aging. Enhancement can be achieved with the Enhancement can be achieved with the above mention nutrients, as well as above mention nutrients, as well as ATPATP supplements themselves. Protection may supplements themselves. Protection may be afforded by a broad spectrum of anti-be afforded by a broad spectrum of anti-oxidants substances, as well as oxidants substances, as well as substances such as substances such as IdebenoneIdebenone and and PregnenolonePregnenolone..

Of particular use may be Acetyl-L-Of particular use may be Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Hydergine, both of which Carnitine and Hydergine, both of which have been proven in experiments to have been proven in experiments to greatly improve the mitochondria greatly improve the mitochondria condition of aged animals.condition of aged animals.

Cross-Linking Theory The Cross-Linking Theory of Aging is The Cross-Linking Theory of Aging is

also referred to as the also referred to as the Glycosylation Glycosylation Theory of AgingTheory of Aging. In this theory it is . In this theory it is the binding of glucose (simple the binding of glucose (simple sugars) to protein, (a process that sugars) to protein, (a process that occurs under the presence of oxygen) occurs under the presence of oxygen) that causes various problems.that causes various problems.

Once this binding has occurred the Once this binding has occurred the protein becomes impaired and is protein becomes impaired and is unable to perform as efficiently. unable to perform as efficiently.

Living a longer life is going to lead to Living a longer life is going to lead to the increased possibility of oxygen the increased possibility of oxygen meeting glucose and protein and meeting glucose and protein and known cross-linking disorders include known cross-linking disorders include senile cataract and the appearance of senile cataract and the appearance of tough, leathery and yellow skin.tough, leathery and yellow skin.

Diabetes is often viewed as a form of Diabetes is often viewed as a form of accelerated aging and the age related accelerated aging and the age related imbalance of insulin and glucose imbalance of insulin and glucose tolerance leads to numerous problems; tolerance leads to numerous problems; these have been called these have been called Syndrome XSyndrome X. .

In fact, diabetics have 2-3 times the In fact, diabetics have 2-3 times the numbers of cross-linked proteins when numbers of cross-linked proteins when compared to their healthy compared to their healthy counterparts.counterparts.

The cross-linking of proteins may also The cross-linking of proteins may also be responsible for cardiac enlargement be responsible for cardiac enlargement and the hardening of collagen, which and the hardening of collagen, which may then lead to the increased may then lead to the increased susceptibility of a cardiac arrest.susceptibility of a cardiac arrest.

Cross linked proteins have also been Cross linked proteins have also been implicated in renal disorders.implicated in renal disorders.

It is also theorized that sugars binding to It is also theorized that sugars binding to DNA may cause damage that leads to DNA may cause damage that leads to malformed cells and thus cancer.malformed cells and thus cancer.

The modern diet is of course a very The modern diet is of course a very sweet one and we are bombarded with sweet one and we are bombarded with simple sugars from soft drinks and simple sugars from soft drinks and processed foods etc. processed foods etc.

Some pharmacological interventions Some pharmacological interventions that could help reduce the carbohydrate/ that could help reduce the carbohydrate/ starch/ glucose intake and affect, include starch/ glucose intake and affect, include Acarbose and Metformin.Acarbose and Metformin.

But other supplements are also But other supplements are also appearing that show great promise appearing that show great promise in the battle to prevent, slow and in the battle to prevent, slow and even break existing cross-links. even break existing cross-links.

Two of the most important at Two of the most important at present are Aminoguanidine and the present are Aminoguanidine and the amino-acid Carnosine amino-acid Carnosine