Aging of the entire organism is a natural and inevitable process programmed by nature, which is one of the main problems of biology and medical science in general.
Although changes in appearance are natural and physiological, the timing of their appearance depends on many causal factors - genetic, hereditary, age-related. The latter are determined by the influence of the aging body on all organs and tissues, including the skin. What are the causes and how to prevent premature skin aging.
Causes of premature aging of facial skin
External manifestations of pathological withering include:
- thinning and reduction in the thickness of the subcutaneous fat layer;
- dryness, itching and peeling of the epithelium of the stratum corneum;
- change in facial skin color;
- decreased skin turgor and gravitational tissue ptosis;
- early appearance of wrinkles and folds on the face;
- vascular changes in the form of dilation of superficial vessels (), the appearance of vascular “networks” and “stars”;
- premature aging of the skin of the hands;
- early and .
These phenomena begin to appear from the age of 25, and sometimes earlier in the presence of unfavorable factors. With increasing age they increase more and more. Pathological, or premature, aging is accompanied by changes in internal organs and tissues and is characterized by a higher rate of appearance of changes in a person’s appearance, compared to people of the same age category. In these cases, we are talking about advancing, exceeding biological age, in comparison with passport data.
Continuous withering of the skin is associated with changes throughout the body. Accordingly, the factors that cause early skin aging are basically the same as those that accelerate the appearance of age-related changes in the body. Thus, the rate of development of age-related changes in the skin is constantly or periodically influenced by numerous unfavorable, so-called “everyday” factors:
- Internal or endogenous.
- External, or exogenous.
- A combination of internal and external factors.
Endogenous negative factors
Associated primarily with a weakening of general immunity and disturbances in the blood levels of sex hormones, in particular estrogens, in women. In addition, the defective functioning of the nervous, endocrine, microcirculatory systems, excretory and respiratory systems is of no small importance for the development of premature aging. All of them provide the skin with the ability to maintain biochemical processes, temperature and barrier functions, and local immunity at the required level.
Therefore, the most common diseases leading to early aging of the skin are pathologies of the endocrine system, especially diabetes mellitus, decreased function of the thyroid gland, hypothalamic-pituitary syndrome, diseases of the endocrine glands of the genital organs, coronary heart disease and cardiovascular failure, chronic pulmonary pathology, a decrease in the degree of general immune defense, which leads to a decrease in local immunity, autoimmune connective tissue diseases.
Pathologies of the liver and biliary system, diseases of the digestive tract and urinary system, and metabolic disorders in the body are also of no small importance. The features of premature aging in men are associated, in addition to the above, mainly with a decrease (for various reasons) in the blood levels of male sex hormones, since they have a stimulating effect on the sebaceous and sweat glands.
It is quite natural that the full provision of the skin with oxygen, vitamins, microelements, hormones, etc. depends, of course, on the content of these components in the body, but one cannot underestimate their supply to the cells through the blood and lymph microcirculation system, as well as the role of these mechanisms in removal of decay products and cellular regeneration processes.
Exogenous factors
These mainly include:
- Unfavorable environmental conditions (from 40 to 60%), in which the surrounding air contains significant concentrations of chemical compounds harmful to the body;
- Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation on skin that is not protected by sunscreen, as well as neglect of the use of after-sun creams that help neutralize the effects of solar radiation;
- Insufficient, or, conversely, excessive environmental humidity;
- Poor nutrition, excess body weight and insufficient physical activity;
- Frequent stressful conditions and prolonged psycho-emotional stress;
- Abuse of alcoholic beverages, as well as smoking, in which chronic nicotine intoxication, causing spasm of small peripheral vessels, leads to disturbances in blood microcirculation and to a deterioration in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. In addition, some chemical compounds contained in tobacco destroy proteins that contain metal atoms (metalloproteins) that take part in the synthesis of skin and elastin, as a result of which the elasticity of the skin decreases with intense formation of wrinkles;
- Dyes and preservatives for food products and components of some cosmetics, as well as household chemicals that contribute to allergic and inflammatory reactions;
- The level of social status, including biological and psychological needs and social opportunities to satisfy them.
Basic mechanisms
The mechanisms of pathological aging are specific physiological and biochemical processes through which the influence of negative endogenous and exogenous factors on the human body is realized. Among the various mechanisms, the main importance is currently given to the so-called free radical reactions, which result in the formation of free radicals and aggressively reactive oxygen species.
Free radicals are “fragments” of molecules with missing electrons. Their reactivity is due to the ability to attach electrons to themselves from other molecules. Such a biochemical reaction is necessary to ensure normal metabolic processes in the body. Under normal physiological conditions, the amount of free radical molecules is strictly controlled by the body.
However, under the influence of negative factors, especially environmental chemicals and ultraviolet rays, an excess amount and accumulation of free radicals are formed. They lead to the destruction of cell membranes, cellular lipids, proteins, mitochondria and DNA. The consequence of this influence is premature cell death, the predominance of degenerative processes over cellular regeneration, accelerated degradation and disruption of the synthesis of collagen and elastin proteins. All these phenomena are united under the name “oxidative stress”.
Collagen and elastin fibers play a particularly important role in the condition of the skin, giving it a state of strength, firmness and elasticity. With age, there is a gradual decrease in volume and quantity. But under the influence of accumulated free radicals, which is especially important, significant changes in their structure and physicochemical properties occur, due to which skin firmness and elasticity decrease, wrinkles and folds form, and tissues of the face and other parts of the body appear.
Another significant mechanism is a decrease in the saturation of the skin with water molecules and the destruction of its epidermal layer as a barrier. The result is increased skin vulnerability to bacterial, physical and chemical factors.
So, to summarize this section, it is necessary to highlight the main mechanisms and manifestations of aging. The first include:
- Slowing down of cellular renewal.
- Quantitative reduction and structural-qualitative disruption of collagen and elastin proteins.
- Disorder of microcirculation in tissues and increased permeability of the vascular wall, leading to skin dehydration and swelling of intercellular tissue.
- Destruction of the epidermal barrier.
- Accumulation of metabolic products.
How can you prevent early destructive processes?
Despite a certain “autonomy” of the skin, their successful functioning cannot but depend on the state of the whole organism or its individual systems, and it is impossible to slow down the processes of early skin aging by using only cosmetics and medications.
Since modern medicine does not have enough ways to influence the genetic and age-related factors of aging, the main efforts of it and cosmetology are aimed at eliminating or limiting the influence of “everyday factors”. Identifying the causes makes it possible to prevent aging or at least slow down the rate of its development. For these purposes, the following are necessary:
- preventing stressful situations and psycho-emotional disorders and increasing resistance to their effects;
- rational nutrition, proper work and rest schedule, normalization of sleep;
- cessation of smoking and alcohol abuse;
- treatment of diseases or correction of the functioning of internal organs with drugs and other means;
- correction of the general immune state and local immunity;
- increasing the body's ability to regulate adaptive mechanisms (improving metabolism, normalizing hormonal levels, accelerating the elimination of toxins and waste from the body, etc.);
- proper and regular skin care using anti-aging cosmetics.
Of great importance in the fight against oxidative stress is the increased consumption and external use of natural antioxidants that can block free radical oxidative reactions, as well as their use in cosmetology and medicine in the form of drugs.
How to avoid premature skin aging?
Aging is not a disease, but a condition of the body, which is determined by heredity and age-related characteristics. Currently, medicine and modern cosmetology have very little ability to influence the genetic and age-related causes of aging.
At the same time, premature decline is the object of their attention. Therefore, their main tasks are to eliminate “everyday” causative factors and early manifestations of aging, as well as to correctly apply anti-aging therapy methods. This can be largely influenced by the person himself, who is informed about the causes of early withering of the skin.
Refers to "The Decay of Human Qualities"Premature (accelerated) aging: causes, diagnosis, prevention and treatment
CHEBOTARYOV Dmitry Fedorovich
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor.
Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, academician of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, member of the German Academy of Natural Sciences Leopoldina.
Honorary member of the national societies of gerontologists in Bulgaria, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Italy, Brazil and other countries.
Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine.
Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine.
Author of 310 scientific papers.
KORKUSHKO Oleg Vasilievich
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Academician of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine, Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences.
Head of the Department of Clinical Physiology and Pathology of Internal Organs, Institute of Gerontology, Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.
Member of the Presidium of the Board of the Ukrainian Society of Gerontologists and Geriatricians, member of the Board of the Ukrainian Scientific Cardiological Society, honorary member of the gerontological societies of Germany and Bulgaria.
Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine.
Laureate of the State Prize of Ukraine.
Author of more than 450 scientific papers.
SHATILO Valery Bronislavovich
Doctor of Medical Sciences.
Leading researcher at the Department of Clinical Physiology and Pathology of Internal Organs.
Head of the therapeutic department of the Institute of Gerontology of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine.
Author of 190 scientific papers.
Aging is a complex biological process that reflects one of the aspects of the development of a living organism, its development over time; the process is internally contradictory, combining both regressive and progressive tendencies (the formation of new adaptive mechanisms).
It is known that human aging in the vast majority of cases occurs according to the premature (accelerated) type. The living conditions of modern society, diseases that are widespread in the second half of life (atherosclerosis, ischemic, hypertension, etc.), accelerating the aging process, lead to premature aging and death before reaching the species biological limit of life. Therefore, prevention, early detection and treatment of pathological processes is an important point in the complex of measures aimed at preventing premature aging. At the same time, this problem continues to be actively discussed among scientists to this day; There are diametrically opposed views on this issue.
In modern gerontological literature, the terms “physiological” and “premature” aging are widely used, but the issue of these two types of aging has been debated for almost a hundred years. The validity of distinguishing the physiological type of aging and physiological old age, as well as the premature (accelerated) type of aging is discussed in the works of S.P. Botkin, I.I. Mechnikov, A.A. Bogomolets, N.D. Strazhesko, D.F. Chebotarev, O.V. Korkushko, V.P. Voitenko, A.V. Tokar, N.B. Mankovsky, V.V. Frolkis, F. Bourliere, V. Korenchevsky, W. F. Anderson and other researchers.
The literature contains numerous data on changes in organs and systems of the body during the process of natural, physiological aging. The situation is completely different with the study of premature aging, which is the main, most common form of aging in people after 40-50 years of age.
Despite the complexity of isolating the syndrome of premature aging, the need to study it is due to clinical practice and the importance of clarifying the causes and mechanisms of premature aging, its main indicators and ways of therapeutic and preventive action.
The WHO seminar on problems of gerontology, held in 1963, was devoted to the criteria of physiological and premature aging. in Kyiv. According to its resolution, physiological aging refers to the natural onset and gradual progression of age-related changes that are characteristic of a given species and limit the ability of the organism to adapt to its environment. Premature aging should be understood as any partial or more general acceleration of the rate of aging, leading to the fact that the individual is “ahead” of the average level of aging of the healthy group of people to which he belongs. It was emphasized that physiological and premature aging is caused by the influence of both internal factors (including genetic) and environmental factors. Naturally, with each of the above types of aging, the influence of these factors is completely different.
The complexity and controversy of a clear definition of premature aging syndrome is due to the fact that we do not yet fully know the mechanisms and sequence of processes that develop during physiological aging. In any case, it can be assumed that factors leading to premature aging can be activated at different stages of the development of physiological aging, modifying its mechanisms and manifestations, affecting the pace and nature of the development of senile changes.
Thus, premature aging should be understood as age-related changes that occur earlier than in healthy people of the same age. In other words, with premature aging, a person’s biological age (BA) is ahead of his calendar age (CA).
The main difficulties arise when trying to determine the essence of premature aging, its mechanisms and development paths. There are two different approaches possible here. In the first approach, the early development of signs of old age is considered regardless of the cause that caused it. Indeed, clinicians are well aware of various pathological processes that lead to fairly rapid decrepitude, early appearance of external signs typical of older people, functional and structural changes in organs and systems that accompany the disease and aggravate it. It is enough to remember how much older than their age even outwardly patients with coronary heart disease, COPD, peptic ulcer disease, diabetes mellitus, etc. look. Emotional stress, mental stress, exposure to radioactive substances and many other factors are often the cause of the premature and rapid development of senile changes.
Proponents of another point of view believe that the occurrence of early signs of old age (accelerated aging) is not associated with any specific diseases or external causes, but is caused by peculiar endocrine-metabolic changes. However, such an understanding is unlikely to find wide support, since what cannot be detected at present due to limited diagnostic capabilities may in the future turn out to be quite provable.
It seems to us that it is more productive and has specific practical significance to study premature aging in the aspect of those diseases or pathological conditions that modify and complicate the aging process, leading to early and rapid decrepitude and disability.
A characteristic feature of premature aging is a more pronounced limitation of the body's adaptive capabilities, which, however, decrease during normal, physiological aging. This, ultimately, can lead to a sharp reduction in the reserve capabilities of the functioning of organs and systems of the body. With premature aging, some structural and functional age-related changes not only accelerate, but sometimes acquire a character opposite to that observed during physiological aging.
When considering various aspects of physiological and premature aging, one should not lose sight of the heterochronicity of changes in the body. With premature aging, as a rule, the uneven changes in the organs and systems of the body worsen.
It is noted that there are quantitative differences between physiological and premature aging (great unevenness of age-related changes, further limitation of compensatory mechanisms during premature aging), however, these quantitative changes essentially give a new quality. If physiological aging is a natural, biologically determined process, then premature aging is a deviation from the natural course of this process, associated with various factors that can be known, studied and, to one degree or another, eliminated.
If the factors that caused premature aging are still difficult to eliminate at this stage of the development of science and society, then it is possible to successfully influence those changes in organs and systems that are caused by the influence of these factors. Considering the issue of physiological and premature aging, it should be noted that predicting age-related changes in the human body should be based not on calendar, but on biological age (BA). Comparison of biological and calendar age gives an objective idea of the rate of aging and possible life expectancy.
From the huge number of risk factors for premature aging, one can distinguish endogenous (diseases, heredity) and exogenous, environmental factors (physical inactivity, mental stress, excess nutrition, bad habits, environmental pollution, etc.). By accelerating the aging process, they can lead to incomplete use by humans of the species' biological life limit. One of the main factors determining life expectancy and the type of human aging is, undoubtedly, the social factor, which characterizes the entire complex range of influences of the external environment on the human body. Transformations of nature and society contributed, on the one hand, to an improvement in the health of the population and a sharp increase in average life expectancy, and on the other, led to the emergence of additional risk factors for premature aging.
Among diseases of the cardiovascular system, which are one of the main causes of premature aging, atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension should be highlighted. Chronic nonspecific lung diseases, leading to hypoxia, adversely affect the oxygen supply to tissues and contribute to the development of pronounced changes. Premature aging is promoted by chronic diseases of the stomach and liver, pathology of the nervous and endocrine systems - diabetes mellitus, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, obesity, adrenal tumors, etc. There are known cases of progeria, when a change in the external appearance and activity of internal organs characteristic of aging is noted even in at an early age.
Premature aging can be hereditary. A certain role in this case belongs to hereditary burden (cardiovascular diseases, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, etc.).
Moreover, many researchers have noted a positive correlation between life expectancy and the frequency of family longevity. Noteworthy is the fact that among people whose parents had short lives, there was an increased mortality rate in all age groups.
According to the adaptation-regulatory theory of aging by V.V. Frolkis, an integral part of which is the gene regulatory hypothesis, primary changes in the aging process are associated with shifts in the regulation of the gene a. Recognition of the connection between aging and impaired implementation of hereditary information, according to the author, makes the search for means of increasing life expectancy promising.
Restriction of human motor activity, or physical inactivity, due to the prevalence and diversity of the causes that cause it, has general biological and social significance in the era of scientific and technological progress. Together with an increase in the intensity of neuropsychic activity, physical inactivity (hypokinesia) contributes to the development and increase in incidence of many diseases, as well as premature aging.
The vast amount of factual material on the aging of the human body now allows us to draw at least two indisputable conclusions: firstly, with aging, muscle performance decreases, and secondly, the nature of the reactions of various functional systems to muscle load changes. These changes are based on disturbances in various parts of the regulation of motor behavior: a decrease in the intensity of recovery processes, the lability of the myoneural synapse, a weakening of sympathetic nervous influences on the vessels and an increase in their sensitivity to humoral factors, a decrease in trophic effects, a weakening of the influence of pessimal, reciprocal inhibition on recovery processes etc.
Most physiologists, hygienists and clinical gerontologists currently believe that the functional load of the organs and systems of the aging body by maintaining a sufficiently high level of motor activity not only prevents premature aging, but also contributes to the functional, structural improvement of organs and tissues.
Studies have shown that muscle activity is a source of powerful stimulating effects on metabolism and has a mobilizing effect on reflex and humoral mechanisms to ensure the internal environment.
In old and senile age, hypokinesia has a particularly negative effect on the functional state of various organs and systems and the course of metabolic processes. At this age, a kind of vicious circle is created - aging limits a person’s muscle activity, and age-related hypokinesia, in turn, can contribute to the development of premature aging.
The negative impact of physical inactivity can be explained from the standpoint of modern ideas about the significance of motor-visceral reflexes. Based on this concept, each movement is not only the result of nerve impulses, but also the cause of many signals coming from the motor system to various organs and systems of the body. They are transmitted to the circulatory and respiratory organs, stimulating their work, accelerating metabolic and energy processes. This unique impact of each motor act carries a trophic charge, enhancing recovery processes, promoting the renewal of active tissues, increasing their functionality.
The clinical and physiological studies we have conducted indicate that people who systematically engage in physical labor, physical education, have a much slower decline in muscle strength and physical performance, and maintain a high tolerance to physical activity. The importance of physical activity cannot be reduced to simply replenishing movement deficits. With the help of muscle work, you can not only change the state of the body as a whole, but also influence its individual functions. During muscle activity, a reflex effect of working muscles on internal organs occurs. This ensures an adequate relationship between the intensity of muscle activity and the level of tissue metabolism and the state of the most important functional systems.
With aging, metabolic processes weaken and the intensity of redox reactions decreases. This feature is largely due to a decrease in the activity of enzyme systems that ensure the use of oxygen by tissues. At the same time, research shows that under the influence of systematic physical exercise, metabolic processes intensify, the efficiency of oxygen use increases, and the “oxygen cost” of the work performed decreases. An active motor mode has a positive effect on the central nervous system, significantly improves the condition of the cardiovascular system, increases the adaptability of the circulatory system to physical activity, and resistance to stressful situations. Thus, physical activity is the most important condition for normal, physiological aging. In addition, physical training is an important area in the prevention of accelerated aging, as evidenced by the results of our many years of research.
Overstrain of the nervous system, frequently repeated stressful situations that cause dysregulation, functional, and then structural changes in various physiological systems of the body, significantly contribute to the development of pathological abnormalities and, thus, to premature aging. In this regard, experimental data related to the modeling of accelerated aging of animals through experimental neurosis deserve attention.
This is confirmed by clinical data: constant psycho-emotional stress is one of the risk factors for the development of coronary heart disease, hypertension and contributes to premature aging. This is especially clearly revealed in persons engaged in intense mental work.
Among many environmental factors, nutrition is of great importance. Changing nutrition has a significant impact on the functional state of the body and metabolism. Malnutrition is often the cause of the development of serious diseases, among which a special place belongs to atherosclerosis as one of the main risk factors for premature aging. It has been noted that obesity shortens life expectancy by 6-8 years.
It should be emphasized that in the development of pathological processes and premature aging, not only energy imbalance plays a role, but also the imbalance of individual food components, since tolerance to both carbohydrates and fats decreases with age. Therefore, rationally structured nutrition in childhood and adolescence lays the foundations for active longevity. Its importance is no less important in old age, when metabolic processes, body weight, physical activity change, and age-related diseases appear. An important principle of gerodietetics is the balance of the energy value of the diet and the body’s energy expenditure.
Clinical and epidemiological observations in recent years show that smoking is an important risk factor for premature aging, often acting synergistically with other main risk factors - dyslipoproteinemia and arterial hypertension.
From all of the above it follows that the most important task of modern gerontology is the fight against premature (accelerated) aging of a person, for the maximum use of his biological life limits. In this regard, at the present stage, an important task of clinical gerontology is to determine the biological age (BA) of a person. The need to find adequate criteria and methods for establishing an individual’s BV is associated with the solution of many medical and social issues, including determining the individual rate of aging, long-term planning of medical care and the correct use of the residual working capacity of older people. Data on BV are necessary for the correct assessment of changes in the organs and systems of an aging person, his health status, and the detection of premature aging. Using the indicators of an individual's BV, it is possible to objectively assess the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing the manifestations of aging and its rate.
The concept of BV involves a description of the quantitative characteristics of age-related changes in various organs and systems, metabolic processes at their various levels (organ, cellular, subcellular), and regulatory mechanisms that ensure the viability of the organism.
There are a large number of definitions of BV. According to D.F. Chebotarev, A.Ya. Mints, O.V. Korkushko, A.Ya. Mints, O.V. Korkushko, D.F. Chebotarev, E.G. Kalinovskaya; V.P. Voitenko et al. , A.V. Tokar et al. , V.V. Frolkis, N.Shock (1978), BV reflects the functional capabilities of the organism, its performance, viability. According to V.P. Voitenko and co-authors, BV is a measure of systemic disintegration of the body during the aging process. A.V. Tokar and co-authors believe that BV, on the one hand, is a retrospective assessment of an individual and characterizes him from the standpoint of the passed part of the life cycle; on the other hand, it is a prospective (prognostic) indicator that reflects the probability of natural death in a certain period of time.
According to V.V. Frolkis, BV represents the degree of age-related changes in the biological capabilities of the organism at each stage of ontogenesis, biological capabilities that determined the life lived and the upcoming life expectancy. Defining BV as the degree of vitality of an organism achieved in ontogenesis, it is justified to express it as the duration of the upcoming life, as the probability of death in a certain period of time.
Many researchers, along with determining the BV of the body as a whole (integral BV), depending on the tasks set, propose to determine the BV of its systems - nervous, cardiovascular, respiratory, etc. - and even isolate cellular BV. Moreover, some highlight the psychological, intellectual, and social age of a person.
So, BV should be considered as a mathematical model of the functional capabilities of the organism, its performance, in other words, viability. With the physiological aging of an individual, his BV and KB, naturally, must coincide. The discrepancy in the BV and KB indicators makes it possible to determine the degree of progression of an individual’s aging and changes in his functional capabilities.
In the world gerontological literature there is a large number of works devoted to the description of various changes in organs and systems in older people, and the average age values of individual indicators for certain age groups are given. All these data are a significant contribution to clinical gerontology, contribute to the discovery of the mechanisms of senile changes and complement our understanding of the clinical and physiological characteristics of the late stage of human ontogenesis. However, it must be emphasized that not every indicator of the functional state of certain organs and systems can be used to determine BV. It should be emphasized that only those indicators that change significantly with age are suitable for determining BV. At the same time, the dynamics of the studied indicator in compared successive age groups should reflect more significant differences than the spread within one age group.
An important methodological problem is the selection of an adequate group of people to test the tests that are supposed to be used to determine BV. Since premature aging caused by external environmental influences is currently most often observed, we are in the position of developing standards using a random sampling method in a group of healthy people of different ages and genders of the corresponding region (climatogeographic zone). The same opinion is shared by A. Comfort (1972), N. Shock (1978). In the same time. V.P. Voitenko, A.V. Tokar, V.P. Voitenko et al. , A.M. Polyukhov propose using tests to determine BV based on the population average. However, one can hardly agree with this situation, since the very concept of a norm is based on the heterogeneity of the contingent. This is especially true for older people. With this approach, the calculated indicator reflects in a given specific period of time not the norm, but the health status of a specific population under study, which can vary significantly depending on social conditions, the environmental situation, and the state of medical care.
The difficulty in choosing tests to determine BV lies in the fact that the aging of the body is characterized by heterochrony, heterotropy, and multidirectionality.
To determine BV, it is important to take into account indicators, changes in which are closely related to BV and reflect the viability of the organism.
In this regard, the reliability of tests used to determine biological age is assessed by the magnitude of the correlation with KB: the higher the correlation, the more reliable the test. The reliability of a test should be understood as the consistency and reproducibility of individual differences established on its basis.
It should be emphasized that to date, data on the information content of the most common models for determining BV, based on multiple linear regression between BV and markers of aging, have not yet been summarized. The mathematical meaning of multiple regression is to determine BV based on a set of aging markers.
Based on literature data and our own research, the following requirements are imposed on the tests used to determine BV.
- Tests must provide information about the functional state of an organ, system, metabolic processes, and regulatory features of the body.
- The test must be age-correlated.
- The test must not only have a quantitative assessment (characteristic), but also be reliable, that is, when repeated studies after a short period of time of the same individual must give comparable results.
- The information content of a particular indicator used to determine BV depends on its relationship with other indicators. The smaller the correlation between one indicator and others, the higher the information value of each of them in assessing BV.
- Tests should be suitable for use in people of any age and should be as simple and quick to perform as possible.
- The set of proposed tests should include functional loads. Thus, the high correlation with age of the performance test and maximum oxygen uptake (J. Dirken, 1972) indicates the advisability of including them to determine BV. At the same time, it should be pointed out that determining maximum performance is very difficult for elderly and elderly people and requires technical skills and abilities. However, it is desirable to include these indicators for determining BC due to their information content, especially in cases where maximum accuracy is required.
- The use of a set of tests followed by calculation of BV based on a multiple regression equation makes it possible to more accurately determine BV than on the basis of any one test.
- To assess the significance of each test in the calculated indicator of functional age, it is necessary to conduct a step-by-step regression analysis.
Currently, different sets of tests are used to determine BV. The programs proposed for determining BV differ from each other not only in the selected indicators, but also in different fundamental approaches to research problems.
Thus, R. Conard (1960) included four types of tests in the program: skin, sensory, circulatory, neuromuscular. In 1966-1968, under the leadership of D.F. Chebotarev and N.K. Witte, a method was proposed for determining a person’s BV in an outpatient setting, including indicators of decrepitness, radiography of the hand, vital capacity of the lungs, dynamometry, time of propagation of the pulse wave through the arterial vessels, accommodation eyes and audiometry. W. Bocher, J. Heemgkerk (1969) proposed to determine BF (functional age) based on the biological, psychological and social characteristics of the individual. W. Ries (1972) determines BV using a set of tests, including various aspects of senile changes - the need for outside help, mental abilities, dental condition, locomotor system, circulatory function, respiratory function, sensory organs, etc. F. Bourliere (1971 ) offers a set of biological (including morphological and physiological) and psychological tests. V. Bell, S. Rose, A. Damon (1972) studied BV based on a number of indicators of blood chemistry, anthropometric changes, personality characteristics, ability to work, hearing and sociological research data.
Among the proposed mathematical approaches for determining BV, research carried out at the Institute of Gerontology deserves special attention.
As experience shows, the most convenient for practical work are test batteries consisting of a small number of indicators. Thus, T.L. Dubina, A.Ya. Mints, E.V. Zhuk used 3 indicators to determine BV based on multiple regression equations: dynamometry (D) of the right hand (in kg), short-term memory (P) according to reproductions of 10 words after each of 10 presentations (the sum of all reproduced words) and the threshold of vibration sensitivity (B) when stimulating the second finger of the hand with vibration at a frequency of 125 Hz (in dB). These indicators to a certain extent reflect the general physical condition, sensory and neuropsychological processes.
In 1984, V.P. Voitenko, A.V. Tokar, A.M. Polyukhov developed and published a method for determining BV based on multiple linear regression. The authors proposed three options for defining BV. The first (most complex) requires the determination of 13 clinical and physiological parameters and is intended for in-depth research in the field of clinical gerontology and geriatrics; the second is based on determining the 4 most informative parameters out of 13 and requires less labor; the third allows you to evaluate BV using 4 fairly informative and technically simple tests. However, the latter option provides, as the authors point out, approximate estimates of BV and can be used in epidemiological surveys of large populations.
When calculating BV, the absolute values of the obtained indicators of the corresponding tests are substituted into the formulas.
As mentioned above, some researchers distinguish psychological, intellectual, social age, etc. Recently, to solve specific problems of clinical gerontology and geriatrics, it has been proposed to determine cardiopulmonary age, functional age of the cardiovascular system, functional age of the nervous system, respiratory and other systems.
Of particular importance from a practical point of view is the determination of the functional age of the circulatory system. This is determined by the fact that the cardiovascular system should be considered as leading in the implementation of physiological (directly related to the mechanisms of aging) and pathological determinants - the death of an individual. Since the cardiovascular system mainly determines vitality, this explains the attempts of many researchers to include in the definition of BV a battery of tests reflecting the state of the circulatory system, F. Bourliere, 1971; N. Shock, 1978.
As already emphasized, one of the most general patterns of the aging process of the body is the limitation of the range of functional capabilities of physiological systems. To determine the range of adaptation, it is necessary to conduct stress tests taking into account the level of physical performance. It was found that physical performance naturally decreases with age. Thus, the correlation coefficient between age and the level of maximum oxygen consumption (MOC2) is 0.84 for men and 0.813 for women, and between age and the power of submaximal (90% of the maximum) load - 0.881 and 0.803, respectively. The level of physical performance depends, in turn, on the functional state of the cardiovascular system and its reserve capabilities. This position is confirmed by the close relationship between the power level of the submaximal load and the value of the maximum minute volume of blood circulation (vr = 0.870). Consequently, having determined the magnitude of the submaximal load power in a particular subject, we can with a high degree of probability predict the functional age of his cardiovascular system and the entire organism as a whole.
EF of the cardiovascular system:
for men: PV = (855 - 0.593y - 0.016y2) x 0.1
for women: PV = (753.8 +5.6y - 0.088y2) x 0.1
(where y is the submaximal physical activity that a given patient can perform).
So, the establishment of a reliable and reliable indicator of BV is not only theoretical, but also of great practical importance. At the same time, it should be emphasized that this problem, despite the progress achieved, is far from being finally resolved, and as new information accumulates, additions and changes will be made. However, the fact remains undoubted that the definition of BV is, firstly, of great importance for understanding the characteristics of the aging process and elucidating the mechanism of aging; secondly, to develop means of increasing life expectancy, the effectiveness of which can be objectively assessed only on the basis of the definition of BV; thirdly, to solve a number of practical problems: correct diagnosis and therapy, an individual approach to solving questions about the social structure, the need to change the profile and pace of work.
The scientific prerequisites and ways of implementing effective measures for the prevention and treatment of premature human aging directly follow from modern ideas about the patterns of influence of biological and social factors on the aging process. Therefore, the maximum possible improvement of environmental conditions, the nature and regime of work, rest, nutrition, and the elimination of risk factors is the key to a successful solution to the problem of human longevity.
At the same time, numerous experimental studies convincingly demonstrate the possibility of increasing life expectancy using a number of substances and drugs - so-called geroprotectors.
In clinical practice, the term “geriatric drugs” has become more widespread. This term refers to medications intended to prevent or reduce the effects of premature aging. They are subject to a number of requirements.
Modern geriatric drugs are biologically active substances with a wide spectrum of action, aimed at correcting energy processes, strengthening compensatory, adaptive and regulatory mechanisms, normalizing the body's reactivity to exogenous and endogenous stimuli.
The use of geriatric drugs (geroprotectors) is one of the most pressing and at the same time most controversial problems of modern gerontology. First of all, the question arises whether the use of geriatric drugs is indicated for so-called physiological aging. It would seem that physiological aging, which is a gradual natural development of senile changes, does not require special therapeutic effects. However, already with physiological aging, indications arise for the implementation of measures that stimulate the functions of organs and systems. A prerequisite for the use of geriatric drugs during physiological aging is the development of a set of changes that reduce the level of functioning of physiological systems. The significance of age-related changes in the formation of pathology in old age should also be taken into account. It has been proven that the increase in pathological processes in old age is due to the direct influence of the aging process. Mathematical modeling of aging and disease has shown that with age, the ratio of the influence of environmental influences and internal factors in the development of many diseases changes significantly. It turns out that in old and senile age the role of internal factors in the development of a number of pathological processes (circulatory system, bronchopulmonary apparatus, gastrointestinal tract, central nervous system, etc.) significantly increases.
On the other hand, various diseases themselves are factors that accelerate the aging process and serve as prerequisites for the manifestation of premature (accelerated) aging.
In this regard, the use of geroprotectors can help break the pathological chain in the aging-disease structure. Indeed, if age-related changes (an internal factor) play an increasingly important role in the development of pathology in old age, then it can be assumed that the use of geroprotectors that affect the mechanisms of aging will reduce the prerequisites for the development of pathology in old age and thereby reduce the likelihood of developing diseases.
The use of geroprotectors as basic therapy for various diseases in people of older age groups will also help expand the body's adaptive capabilities and prevent premature aging caused by the influence of old age diseases.
Thus, the use of geroprotectors is indicated even during physiological aging, since they can prevent the development of diseases, and thereby premature aging. However, the question arises as to how effective the use of geriatric drugs is. After all, if aging is caused by morphological, irreversible changes, it is difficult to count on the effectiveness of therapeutic effects.
However, modern gerontology has data that allows us to draw an optimistic conclusion about the feasibility of geriatric interventions during aging. This promise is evidenced by the significant share of functional factors in determining senile changes.
A number of studies have shown that with aging, along with a decrease in functions, mechanisms for compensating for unfavorable senile changes develop. The position of V.V. Frolkis that aging is not a simple destruction of structure and function, but represents a new level of adaptation to the environment, has received wide recognition. Therefore, by improving adaptation mechanisms, it is possible to increase the vitality of the body and prevent premature aging even when exposed to unfavorable environmental factors.
When developing and prescribing geriatric medications, the following circumstances should be kept in mind:
- identification of links that limit the reliability of the organism;
- ways of influencing these links;
- optimal schemes for the use of geroprotectors;
- assessment of their effectiveness.
As for the 3rd and 4th points, they are interconnected. Based on the consideration of the dynamics of indicators that most clearly reflect the processes affected by one or another geriatric drug, schemes for its use are developed that provide the greatest effect.
As studies show, an important method for assessing the effectiveness of geroprotectors is the determination of BV (BV). Since BV is an integral indicator of the functional state of the body, its determination during the use of geroprotectors makes it possible to trace the dynamics of the functional state of the body and quantify the geroprotective effect of various drugs.
The choice of influence links is important. These are, as a rule, links that limit functionality during aging.
Schematic limitation of the functional capabilities of organs and systems during aging is due to the following processes:
- violation of neurohumoral regulation of organs and systems;
- deterioration of tissue trophism;
- decreased immunological reactivity;
- limitation of the functional capabilities of the cardiovascular system;
- hypoxic changes;
- violation of metabolism and energy formation processes.
It seems to us that drugs used in geriatrics should be prescribed taking into account the impact on these processes, have antioxidant and anti-sclerotic properties, and increase resistance to stress. It also seems promising to include amino acids in geroprotectors, which are precursors of central nervous system mediators, stimulators of brain energy, and regulators of lipid metabolism.
The Institute of Gerontology has conducted many years of comprehensive research to study the effectiveness of the mechanisms of action of a number of geriatric drugs (geroprotectors) on various functions and metabolic processes of an aging person. The results of these studies confirm the fundamental possibility and feasibility of using biologically active substances for the prevention and treatment of premature aging.
At the same time, modern knowledge about the so-called geriatric drugs (geroprotectors) confirms the need to exercise certain caution when prescribing them to older people. The limited range of functional capabilities of an aging organism, often changes in its sensitivity to the action of biological agents, determine the need to reduce and select individual doses of stimulants used, and shorten courses of treatment. In this regard, treatment with geriatric drugs should be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician. When prescribing geroprotectors, it is necessary to take into account the nature of the type of premature aging, i.e., follow a differentiated approach.
Of great interest is the mechanism of the beneficial effect of biologically active substances on the aging process of the body. In the studies conducted, attention is drawn to the homogeneity of the effect of a number of geriatric drugs, despite the different mechanisms of their action. Such unidirectionality of the therapeutic effect of geriatric drugs with different points of application in the body apparently indicates the commonality of mechanisms of action specific to each drug. All of them are largely mediated by influence on regulatory systems. Indeed, the normalizing effect of geriatric drugs on metabolism, and therefore on all organs and systems, on the body as a whole, improves the functions of not only specific parts and structures of the body, but, very importantly, its regulatory systems. Improving neurohumoral regulation against the background of increased trophism and stimulation of compensatory mechanisms of executing systems undoubtedly expands the range of adaptation of individual links and the entire aging organism. Aging, especially premature aging, is characterized by a pronounced reduction in these capabilities. Therefore, there is every reason to believe that as a result of increasing adaptation with the help of geroprotectors, it is possible to change the nature and rate of aging, and to significantly normalize the activity of the functioning systems of the body in accordance with their age indicators. Thus, geroprotectors can be an effective measure not only for the prevention of pathological processes in old age, but also for their treatment.
Thus, modern gerontology has a number of means that can rightfully be considered as geroprotectors. Further research into new, more effective methods for preventing premature aging is one of the urgent tasks of preventive gerontology and geriatrics. The achievements of modern science about aging and old age have paved the way for further steps towards a successful solution to the problem of a person using his biological life limit.
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07.01.2020
Before changing your skin care routine, it is best to consult a specialist. Uncontrolled use of some drugs can lead to serious consequences.
In any case, before starting any anti-aging therapy, be sure to consult a specialist. This will help avoid negative consequences.
1. Premature Aging: Foods to Avoid
One can hardly argue with the statement that Human health depends primarily on nutrition. We are what we eat.
Unfortunately, throughout our lives we acquire different habits, some of which are harmful to health and cause. This aspect is described in detail in the article "Aging and Antioxidants" published in 2012.
For example, excess sweets can contribute to the breakdown of collagen present in the skin. Alcoholic drinks have a direct effect on the liver, preventing it from properly eliminating toxins. All this accelerates premature aging.
Additionally, there are other foods that contain sulfites and can also speed up aging. This category includes, for example, sausage, minced meat, fast food.
Moreover, it is urgent it is recommended to reduce salt intake. For example, it is found in large quantities in French fries or salted nuts. Salt is an additive that should be consumed in moderation; if in excess, it can be dangerous to the body.
2. Stress and anxiety
Problems that affect psychological health, if not treated properly, can have negative consequences. A situation of severe stress that is not properly treated can be prolonged for months or years. If this is the case, the problem may be reflected in very serious changes in our body,
It has been proven that the bad emotions we experience not only have a negative impact on health, causing various psychosomatic diseases. They also cause premature aging.
Prolonged stress, stretching over several months or years, causes serious changes in the body. Why is this happening? The answer to this question can be found in the article “Stress and illness. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrine approach”, published in 2010.
Due to an excess of cortisol, the stress hormone, the heart rate accelerates. This has a negative impact on the health of the nervous system and increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis.
In addition to cortisol, during nervous tension the body produces epinephrine, better known as adrenaline. It stimulates oxidative processes in body cells, interferes with the synthesis of nutrients, and causes the appearance of fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels.
Due to stress, the immune system also suffers. Be more attentive to your emotions and learn to manage them correctly.
3. Antioxidant deficiency
You may be missing antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. Often we don't give it due importance. But in vain, after all Deficiency of antioxidants makes the body more vulnerable to free radicals that harm cells.
To help yourself, Be sure to include the following foods in your diet:
- Water with lemon juice on an empty stomach, kiwi, strawberries;
- Melon;
- Oranges;
- Brussels sprouts, carrots;
- Spinach, kale, tomatoes, papaya;
- Pumpkin, 1 cup of green or white tea every day;
- Fatty fish twice a week.
4. The sun is one of the main enemies of your youth
Of course, the sun is very important for health. Thanks to sunlight, in our body Vitamin D is synthesized. On a sunny day we wake up in a good mood, we are filled with energy.
But you still need to be careful with the sun. Try not to spend too much time on the beach, avoid the dangerous midday sun and Always wear a good sunscreen.
For most women It is the sun's rays that are the main factor provoking premature aging. As shown in the article "Solar Cosmetics: Premature Aging and Sun Protection," published in the journal Science and Virtual Health, the use of sunscreens is key in the fight against aging skin. Be careful!
5. The female body and calcium
“Looking at this flabby face, sunken eyes and flabby skin, one would hardly think that this is a child. However, this is so.” Many people know the story of 5-year-old Bayezid Hossain, who lives in southern Bangladesh. The boy suffers from a rare genetic disease - progeria, in which the body and the body age eight times faster than usual. It all starts with muscle atrophy, degenerative processes in teeth, hair and nails, changes in the osteoarticular apparatus, and this process ends with atherosclerosis, stroke and malignant tumors. As we see, progeria has not at all encouraging symptoms, which develop into deadly diseases. Therefore, such patients always face a fatal outcome. But is it possible to alleviate their suffering and even prolong their life? Or perhaps scientists are already one step away from creating a cure for this disorder? We'll tell you in today's article.
Hutchinson's syndrome in a child, Wikimedia
Infantile progeria, or Hutchinson (Hutchinson)-Guilford syndrome
For the first time, a disease in which the body ages prematurely was identified and described in 1889 by J. Hutchinson and independently in 1897 by H. Guilford. The syndrome, which manifests itself in childhood, was named in their honor.
Despite the fact that progeria is a rather rare disease (only one in 7 million newborns is diagnosed with it), over the entire history of observations of this disease, more than 150 cases have already been recorded in the world. At birth, children look absolutely healthy; the first signs of accelerated aging begin to appear in babies aged 10-24 months.
The cause of the disease is a mutation of the LMNA gene; it produces the protein prelamin A, which forms a unique protein network - the internal framework of the nuclear envelope. The result is that cells lose the ability to divide normally.
While studying patients, geneticists also discovered disturbances in DNA repair (restorative function), cloning of fibroblasts (the main cells of connective tissue) and the disappearance of subcutaneous tissue.
As a rule, progeria is a non-hereditary disease, and cases of its development are rare, but there are exceptions. In several families, such a mutation has been registered in sibling children - descendants of closely related parents. And this indicates the possibility of an autosomal recessive type of inheritance, which manifests itself in people in adulthood. By the way, this happens to one in 200,000 people.
Progeria in adults, or Werner's syndrome
Back in 1904, the German doctor Otto Werner noticed dramatic changes in the appearance and condition of people 14-18 years old. He discovered the syndrome, which is associated with sudden weight loss, stunted growth, the appearance of gray hair and gradual baldness.
All these transformations of a teenager into an old man are associated with a defect in the WRN gene (ATP-dependent helicase gene). The role of the WRN protein it produces is to maintain genomic stability and maintain the structure and integrity of human DNA. Over time, the mutation disrupts gene expression, DNA loses the ability to be restored, which is the cause of premature aging.
Unlike young patients, who do not lag behind, and in some cases even surpass their peers in mental development, in adults the opposite effect is observed, because progeria begins to have a detrimental effect on their intellectual abilities.
About 10% of patients by the age of forty are faced with such terrible diseases as sarcoma, breast cancer, astrocytoma, and melanoma. Oncology develops against the background of diabetes mellitus and dysfunction of the parathyroid glands. Therefore, the average life expectancy of people with Werner syndrome is 30-40 years.
The world's first treatment for progeria. American scientists tested a unique drug
At the moment, progeria is considered an incurable disease. The lives of people with Hutchinson (Hutchinson)-Gilford syndrome are cut short at the age of 7-13 years, but there are isolated cases when patients lived to be 20 or even 27 years old. And all this thanks to some kind of treatment.
However, specialists from the Progeria Research Foundation (PRF) and Boston Children's Hospital were not satisfied with such statistics. In 2012, they began the world's first clinical trials of a drug that could help rapidly aging children. And, as reported by EurekAlert! , they succeeded in this matter.
The study of patients with progeria lasted for 2.5 years. Scientists invited 28 children from 16 different countries to participate, 75% of whom were diagnosed with the disease. The children came to Boston every four months and underwent a full medical examination.
Throughout this time, subjects were given a special farnesyltransferase inhibitor (FTI) drug, which was originally developed to treat cancer, twice daily. The research team assessed weight dynamics, arterial stiffness (a parameter for the risk of heart attack and stroke), and bone stiffness and density (a parameter for the risk of osteoporosis).
As a result, each child felt significantly better. The children began to gain weight, there were improvements in bone structure, and most importantly, in the cardiovascular system.
According to doctors, the results of this study are very encouraging. In the future, it is planned to continue studying FTI drugs and their effect, which will provide additional information about cardiovascular diseases and the normal aging process.
“The results of this trial are encouraging for our family. We are excited and hopeful about Megan's future. We are grateful to the Progeria Research Foundation and all the doctors for their commitment to helping my daughter and all children with progeria,” said Sandy Nighbor, mother of 12-year-old Megan, who participated in the clinical trial.
Progeria in culture and life
Believe me, it's never too late, or in my case, never too early to be who you want to be. There is no time frame - start whenever you want. You can change or remain the same - there are no rules for this. We can make better or worse choices, I hope you make the best. 
This monologue is taken from David Fincher's film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which is based on the story of the same name by Francis Scott Fitzgerald.
From birth, the hero of this famous story was an outcast, because... from infancy he had the appearance and health of an 80-year-old man: he had wrinkles all over his body and atrophied legs. However, time passes, and Benjamin, on the contrary, does not grow old, but gets younger. Many different vicissitudes happen to a man, and, of course, love happens in his life.
In real life, such miracles do not happen, and people with progeria never grow young. But, despite their illness, such people never cease to be happy. In particular, Leon Botha, a South African artist, musician and DJ, is known to the world not only for his creative activities, but also for the fact that he was able to live with a terrible disease for up to 26 years.
Leon was diagnosed with progeria at the age of 4, but the disease did not ruin his life. This man loved to enjoy every minute, although he realized that his imminent death was inevitable. For example, in January 2007, a man organized his first personal art exhibition in Durbanville, the theme of which was hip-hop culture as a way of life. Let us note that the “young” man had several such shows.
Botha was also involved in DJing and turntablism (a type of DJing) and performed in famous clubs under the pseudonym DJ Solarize. In addition, he collaborated with the South African group Die Antwoord and starred in their video for the song Enter the Ninja.
But, unfortunately, progeria spares no one. Therefore, on June 5, 2011, Botha died from a pulmonary embolism - a pathological condition when part of a blood clot (embolus), detached from its primary site of formation (often a leg or arm), travels through the blood vessels and blocks the lumen of the pulmonary artery.
Today, scientists all over the world are studying this mysterious disease. They want to move it from the list of fatal to the list of intractable. It is worth noting that science has already achieved enormous results in this direction. However, many questions remain that need to be understood, namely: what are the similarities and differences between special cases of progeria and normal aging of the body, how the genetic causes of Werner and Hutchinson (Hutchinson)-Gilford syndrome are related to each other, and how to resist accelerated aging of the body. Perhaps, after some time, answers will be found, and specialists will be able to prevent the development of the disease, thereby prolonging the lives of people with progeria.
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According to scientists, the rate of aging primarily depends on external factors, and not on heredity. The contribution of genetics is only 20%. According to research, some people's bodies age 3 times faster, while for others, on the contrary, the biological clock measures a year in 16 and a half calendar months. Biological age is directly reflected in appearance. Thus, people of the same age may look younger and, on the contrary, older than the age indicated in the passport.
website I have prepared a list of signals that may indicate that your body is aging too quickly.
1. Excessively dry and flaky skin
Signs of skin aging usually appear from the age of 25, and in the presence of unfavorable factors, they can occur earlier. Over time they become more and more distinct. A high rate of age-related skin changes compared to people of the same age category may be a sign of premature skin aging.
If your skin has become chronically dry with visible flaking, age spots and wrinkles, this is most likely due to a pathology of the endocrine system.
In addition to hormonal problems, an unhealthy lifestyle can also negatively affect the condition of the skin. Poor nutrition, neglect of sunscreen, stress - all this slows down the skin renewal process.
- How to prevent: Make sure your diet is as balanced as possible, with enough vegetables, leafy greens, berries and foods rich in unsaturated fats (nuts, vegetable oils, seeds).
2. Drooping eyelids
Irregular menstrual cycles in women can be a harbinger of early menopause. It is considered normal if women reach menopause between the ages of 46 and 54 years. If disturbances in the functioning of the body are observed before the age of 40, then this may be a sign of premature aging of internal organs.
Symptoms of early menopause also include insomnia, alternating attacks of fever and chills, and sudden changes in mood.
- How to prevent: try to see a gynecologist regularly, promptly identify and treat inflammation of internal organs, and do not neglect taking vitamins. Most often, the onset of early menopause is associated with pathologies or surgical intervention in female internal organs. At the first signs, you should immediately contact a specialist.
4. Physical weakness
If climbing stairs, walking and any other daily activity is difficult for you, this is not only due to poor physical shape and lack of regular sports training, but may also be a sign of sharp differences between your passport and biological age.
After 40 years, muscle volume begins to decrease. These are natural processes that can be either slowed down through regular exercise or accelerated by neglecting them.
- How to prevent: choose sports activities that you like so that you don’t have to force yourself every time. It could be yoga, dancing, cycling. In everyday life, always choose activity: instead of taking the elevator, take the stairs, instead of taking public transport, walk.
5. Noticeable hair loss and breakage
Sleep disturbances in themselves are not associated with age, but are the result of factors characteristic of aging.
Normal physiological changes for people over 60 years of age are considered to be an increase in the sensitivity of sleep, a decrease in its duration, and a shift in the biological clock towards an earlier rise. This is due to an age-related increase in cortisol levels, which causes anxiety during sleep. If sleep problems occur at an earlier age, this may also be a sign of accelerated aging of the body.
- How to prevent: yoga or swimming will help smooth out the effects of stress; before bed, choose reading books instead of a smartphone or TV.
If early signs of aging appear, you should immediately consult a doctor. Preventive measures can only delay the onset of the problem, but not solve it. And you shouldn’t self-medicate.
Do you have your own secrets for staying young? Tell us about them in the comments.
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