Question 3 of 433
Why do we age at all?
The short answer
Aging is damage that builds up faster than the body repairs it. Scientists now describe twelve specific kinds of damage, called the hallmarks of aging.
You do not need to memorize them, but here they are in plain language:
Your DNA collects errors.
The protective caps on your chromosomes (telomeres) wear down.
The “switches” that turn genes on and off drift out of position (epigenetic change).
Proteins misfold and pile up.
The cell’s recycling system slows down.
Cells stop reading nutrient signals correctly.
The power plants of the cell (mitochondria) weaken.
Worn-out “zombie” cells refuse to die and irritate their neighbors (senescence).
Stem cells run low.
Cells stop communicating clearly.
Low-grade inflammation smolders everywhere.
The gut bacteria fall out of balance.
Nearly every longevity treatment you will hear about targets one of these twelve. That is a useful filter: when someone sells you something, ask which hallmark it targets and where the human proof is.
“This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship.” From the book’s medical disclaimer. Full disclaimer
ESTABLISHED BIOLOGY — Aging mechanisms; PRECLINICAL for extending human lifespan by targeting them.Evidence grade (draft mapping)EEstablished clinical knowledgePart 1, Q3 · Part sources
From Longevity Unmasked by Afshine Ash Emrani, MD, FACC. Medical disclaimer. This book is for education. It is not medical advice, and reading it does not make you my patient or create a doctor-patient relationship. Nothing here is meant to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Medicine is personal: a test, drug, supplement, or exercise plan that helps one person can harm another. Do not start, stop, or change any medication or treatment because of something you read in these pages. Talk with a licensed clinician who knows your history first. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911. The author disclaims responsibility for any loss or harm arising from use of the information in this book.