Aging Process - Detrimental Consequences

This section outlines the various detrimental physiological changes that occur during the progression of the Aging Process. Detrimental Effects of the Aging Process Cardiovascular System The formation of atherosclerotic plaque that is implicit in Atherosclerosis may increase in tandem with the Aging Process. The risk for Hypertension may increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process: references - Systolic Blood Pressure normally increases in tandem with the Aging Process. The incidence of Hemorrhoids may increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The incidence of Varicose Veins may increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Cells The Aging Process is associated with a failure of damaged Cells to “kill themselves” via the process of (normal) Apoptosis and increased (abnormal) Apoptosis of non-damaged Cells. references The integrity of the body’s Cell Membranes deteriorates in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process: references - The Phospholipids content of Cell Membranes declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Damage to the Mitochondria of the body's Cells may be associated with the general slowdown that humans experience with the progression of the Aging Process: references - Errors that occur during the transcription of Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) in association with the repair and replication of the body's Cells are implicated in the Aging Process. references - Free Radicals-induced damage (especially Superoxide Free Radicals and Hydrogen Peroxide Free Radicals) to the Mitochondria is speculated to be an important underlying cause of the Aging Process. The Aging Process may cause the number of Melanocytes in the body to decrease by up to 20% each decade after the age of 30. references The activity of Proteasomes may decline in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Digestive System The incidence of Hypochlorhydria may increase in tandem with the Aging Process (due to the natural decline in the body's production of Hydrochloric Acid that occurs in tandem with the Aging Process). Eyes/Vision The risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) may increase in tandem with the Aging Process. The incidence of Cataracts increases in tandem with the Aging Process. The Lens of the Eye loses approximately 1% of its transparency each year in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The Vitreous Humor of the Eyeball tends to contract, liquefy and separate from the Retina in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Immune System The risk of Autoimmune Diseases increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The general function of the Immune System may deteriorate in tandem with the Aging Process. references The number of Langerhans Cells present in the Epidermis of the Skin declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The function of Macrophages deteriorates in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The function of Neutrophils deteriorates in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The quantity and quality of T-Lymphocytes declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The Thymus Gland shrinks in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The risk of developing Prostate Cancer (for males) increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The risk of developing Skin Cancer increases in tandem with the Aging Process. Metabolism The size of the Adipocytes (fat cells) in the Subcutaneous Tissue of the Skin increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The number of Beta-3 Adrenergic Receptors declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The body’s Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) declines after the age of 30 in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process - between the ages of 30 and 80, BMR declines by an average of 12%. references The prevalence of Euthyroid Sick Syndrome increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Many of the ailments that become more prevalent with the progression of the Aging Process are initiated by excessive internal exposure to Free Radicals. The risk of Hypothyroidism increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The incidence of Insulin Resistance increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The risk of Obesity increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The function of the Thyroid gland often declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Musculoskeletal System Degradation of the body’s endogenous Proteins (catabolism) and Muscle Loss increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The Oral Mucosa (i.e. the Mucous Membranes that line the internal surfaces of the Mouth) becomes thinner in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Muscle Strength declines as a consequence of the Aging Process: - In most people, Muscle Strength peaks between the ages of 20 - 30. - After the age of 30, Muscle Strength remains stable (or decreases very slightly) until the age of 50. references - After the age of 50 a dramatic decrease in Muscle Strength occurs in both males and (even more prominently in) females - this decrease in Muscle Strength occurs as a result of loss of lean body mass (for example, a loss of hand grip strength of 3% in men and 5% in women occurs each year after the age of 60). - The most dramatic loss of Muscle Strength occurs after the age of 70 (for example, the knee extensor strength of healthy men and women aged 80 is 30% lower than their strength at the age of 70). Muscle Weakness increases as a consequence of the Aging Process. (Sub-clinical) Muscular Atrophy increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (Sub-clinical Muscular Atrophy that occurs as a result of the Aging Process is known as Sarcopenia): references - Lean body mass decreases by approximately 50% between the ages of 20 and 90. - Type II Muscle Fibers are more prone to age-associated Muscular Atrophy (Sarcopenia) than are other types of Muscle Fibers. references Nervous System The number of 5-HT1A Receptors in the Brain declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The number of Alpha-2 Adrenergic Receptors in the Brain declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The Aging Process causes a disruption in optimal Brain Wave patterns: - The Brain’s Alpha Wave activity decreases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references - The Brain’s Beta Wave activity decreases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references - The Brain’s Delta Wave activity increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references - The Brain’s Theta Wave activity increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The number of Cholinergic Receptors in the Brain declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Coordination ability normally declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Damage to and loss of Dendrites (component of Neurons) is integral to the Aging Process in the Brain - this aspect of the Aging Process is preventable. The Frontal Lobe shrinks (atrophies) in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The number of Glucocorticoid Receptors in the Hippocampus and Hypothalamus of the Brain declines in tandem with the Aging Process. references The number, density and metabolic acitivity of Neurons and Glial Cells in the Hippocampus declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The Aging Process causes the Hypothalamus to become less responsive to the biochemical reactions that it regulates. Learning ability normally declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The integrity of Myelin Sheaths deteriorates in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (preventing Glucose and other nutrients from entering Neurons). The density (number) of N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptors (NMDA Receptors) declines in tandem with the Aging Process. references The number of functional Nerve Growth Factor Receptors (NGF Receptors) declines in tandem with the Aging Process. references It is estimated that the Brain loses approximately 100,000 Neurons per day in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The sensitivity of Type IA Nicotinic Receptors to Agonists (stimulants) declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (i.e. Type IA Nicotinic Receptors become down-regulated with time). references The amount of Slow-Wave Sleep declines in tandem with the Aging Process. references The Sense of Thirst declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Oral Health The risk of Periodontal Disease increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (as the Alveolar Bone begins to degenerate after the age 30 - 40). The Enamel of the Teeth tends to discolor with the progression of the Aging Process. Proteins The response of Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) to heat shock stress diminishes in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Sexual System The quantity of Leydig Cells in the male Testicles declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The progression of the Aging Process generally causes impairment in Sexual Performance. Skin The incidence of Blackheads increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (81% of people over the age of 64 are found to have Blackheads). references The condition of the Skin deteriorates with the progression of the Aging Process - by the time a person has reached the age of 80, there has normally been a 15% - 20% reduction in overall Skin function (characterized by Dry Skin, Wrinkles, Skin Transparency, Thin Skin, structural and Capillary breakdown): references - The number of Fibroblasts in the Skin declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process and the functionality of existing Fibroblasts declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The number of Fibroblasts decreases by at least 50% between birth and the age of 80. references The remaining Fibroblasts in the Skin of older people shrink and become more narrow. They contain a reduced number of Cytoplasm. "Old" (senescent) Fibroblasts produce greater quantities of Collagenase than "young" Fibroblasts - causing Collagen to be broken down at a faster rate than the production of new Collagen - this is speculated to be a primary detrimental mechanism of the Aging Process in the Skin. references - The Dermis atrophies in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (this occurs as a result of a reduction in the number of Collagen fibers present in the Dermis). - The Epidermis becomes thinner in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references - The number and appearance of Liver Spots that are visible on exposed areas of the Skin increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. - The Skin loses its elasticity in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. - The Skin’s Immune function declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (this results in a reduction in the Skin’s ability to counteract Antigens and a reduction in the Skin’s ability to mount inflammatory responses). - Blood Circulation to the Skin declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. - The Skin’s ability to perceive Pain declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Levels of These Toxic Substances may Increase in Tandem with the Aging Process Amino Acids The body’s level of plasma Homocysteine increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Antibodies SCA Auto-Antibodies (Senescent Cell Antigen Auto-Antibodies) accelerate the progression of the Aging Process by signaling Phagocytes to destroy Cells that contain Senescent Cell Antigen (produced in response to degraded Band 3 Protein (B3P)) - this process appears to be a mechanism for the destruction and removal of aged, damaged Cells. Enzymes The production of Aromatase enzymes increases (in males) in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Cyclooxygenase activity (mainly COX-2) increases in tandem with the progresssion of the Aging Process. references The body’s production and activity of Elastase increases in tandem with the progressiono f the Aging Process. references The body’s production of Lipoxygenase (5-Lipoxygenase form) increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The body's levels of Monoamine Oxidase Type B (MAO-B) increase in tandem with the Aging Process. references Ribonuclease activity increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Factors Platelet Aggregating Factor (PAF) levels increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Hormones Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Cortisol levels increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Estrogens (primarily Estradiol and Estrone) levels (in males but not females) generally increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Immune System Chemicals Interleukin 1 (IL-1) levels increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references The body’s production of Interleukin 6 (IL-6) increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Lipids The body’s production of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Neurotoxins The deposition of Neuromelanin in the Substantia Nigra and Locus Coeruleus increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. Pigments The accumulation of Lipofuscin increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Proteins Fibrinogen levels increase in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. references Production of Senescent Cell Antigen (SCA) in Cell Membranes (from the degradation of its precursor, Band 3 Protein) increases in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process. The body's production of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) increases in tandem with the Aging Process. references