subject: What Determines When Wrinkles Start? [print this page] There are many factors that can contribute to the onset of fine lines and wrinkles. Too much sun is a big culprit for premature aging, as is an unhealthy diet, too much alcohol and of-course, cigarettes. But have you ever noticed that some people live a carefree and indulgent lifestyle, but still look fabulously radiant well into their forties and fifties; without any intervention?
What's the secret? If they haven't had surgery, injections or other procedures, why do they look untouched by the hands of time?
In 2009, scientists discovered an interesting link in the DNA strand. The ends of the DNA strand are known as telomeres, and their job, in the simplest of terms, is to keep the strand intact. The discovery was that the length of these strands shortens with age. However, an enzyme of the body actually prevents the telomeres from becoming any shorter, therefore making them ageless.
Can you imagine the ability to scientifically halt the aging process for certain genes or the entire structure? There is currently no evidence that we are anywhere even remotely close to this prospect, but it is interesting to discover that the speed at which the aging process takes its toll is found in the code of our DNA.
So there's no need (or at least no point), in envying someone who doesn't seem to age. They simply have longer telomeres holding their DNA together. Since there's nothing you can do about that, you might as well just do what you can for yourself.
Eat well, get plenty of rest, drink buckets of water and try to get some heart pumping exercise every day. Keeping yourself in tip top shape is the best way to keep the signs of aging at bay. However, when the wrinkles do come, remember they came from laughter, tears, living and learning. Wrinkles are more than just a sign of aging, they are a sign of living.
So, while you wait for science to find the cure for wrinkles, live well and be happy.
