subject: Senescence and Healthy Aging [print this page] Senescence and Healthy Aging Senescence and Healthy Aging
The natural health researchers at Institute for Vibrant Living (IVL) have investigated the natural remedies available for "senescence" also known as aging. Here is one in a series of reports:
Senescence Explained
The term refers to the biological changes that the body experiences upon reaching maturity. Many simply call this "aging."
There are a number of theories as to what causes senescence. Some experts believe it is programmed into the genes in the form of a biological clock, and others say it is cumulative damage caused by the impact of the environment on the body.
Needless to say, senescence is inevitable, but it can be prolonged with healthy aging practices. Here are some of the biological effects that come with senescence:
Brain Function: Until recently, aging of the brain was attributed to neuron loss, with the assumption that nerve cells in the brain were continually lost from birth onward. Scientists have recently found that unless there is a specific disease which causes loss, nerve cells in the brain are healthy throughout life. It is now believed that age-related changes in function are the result of complex chemical processes in the brain.
Eyesight: With age comes a reduction in the size of the pupils. This affects how much light is reaching the retina of the eye, which causes a slower reaction time and makes the pupils less responsive to light.
Hearing: Roughly 30 percent of Americans from 65 to 74 have age-related hearing loss, and about half of the people over 85 experience this problem. Age-related hearing loss can be caused by damage to the auditory nerve, the inner ear or hearing passages in the brain. It may also be caused by loud noise, heredity, head injury, infection, illness, some prescription drugs and high blood pressure.
Graying Hair: Research published in Science, found that hair turns gray when the stem cells that regulate hair coloring lose strength or shut down. The study also suggests that there is a signal in the body that stimulates this process.
Aging Skin: As the body ages, the skin loses elasticity, it becomes thinner and drier and the blood vessels become more noticeable. Pores get larger, and there is a redistribution of fat and muscle in the body which causes sagging.
Joint Stiffness: With aging, the muscles, ligaments and tendons begin to lose elasticity. The reduction of hyaluronic acid (the lubricating fluid surrounding joints) causes joints to become stiff and more sensitive to wear and tear. All of this adds up to a reduction in mobility.
Bone Loss: Bone is live tissue which is broken down and replaced by the body to maintain strong bones. As people age, the bones lose calcium and other minerals affecting bone mass or density especially in post-menopausal women.
Sexual Responsiveness: Unfortunately, sexual response changes with aging. In general, the cycle slows, response takes longer to achieve, and intensity may lessen.
Taking Defensive Action on Aging Effects
Although senescence is undeniable, there are ways to maintain healthy aging throughout the golden years.
For instance, even though sexual excitement and response are reduced, the experience can still be pleasurable. Men and women who participate in sexual activity throughout their adult lives seem to be happier in old age than those who do not.
Research has shown that keeping the brain active with reading, writing and puzzles helps slow age-related memory loss.
To keep bones and muscles in good condition and maintain mobility, it is important to get a bone scan, enrich the diet with plenty of vitamin D and calcium and make regular, weight-bearing exercise part of a healthy lifestyle.
Other healthy aging practices include regular cardiovascular exercise, drinking plenty of water (at least 64 ounces per day), adequate sleep and reduced stress levels look into meditation, yoga or tai chi to help with stress. It is important to stop smoking and limit the consumption of alcohol and caffeine.
Finally, in addition to proper amounts of vitamin D and calcium, there are a number of natural supplements that promote healthy aging like daily liquid vitamins and minerals, hyaluronic acid (good for the joints and the skin), fish oil, CoQ10 and green tea extract.
