Greetings, fellow explorers of longevity! Today, we embark on a thrilling journey into the heart of aging – the silent symphony within our cells. Join us as we unravel the twelve hallmarks of aging and discover how understanding them empowers you on the path to a healthier future.
Aging Unveiled – A Tale of Twelve Chapters
Ever wondered why some individuals seem to age in slow-motion? While we're not handing out a timeless elixir, we're here to uncover the mysteries of aging and showcase how the knowledge of these hallmarks can redefine your journey.
The Aging Saga: Unveiling the Twelve Hallmarks
Chapter 1: Rise of Instability
Hallmark 1: Genomic Instability – DNA's Silent Struggle
During a DNA break, specific repair enzymes are displaced from regions where they stabilize the epigenome. When DNA breakage increases, the enzymes face difficulty in maintaining the epigenome. These genetic typos can lead to malfunctioning proteins or even cell death.
Citation: (López-Otín et al., 2013)
Chapter 2: Aging – A Collaborative Effort!
Aging isn't a solo act; it's a collaborative production of various factors. The next character in our saga is:
Hallmark 2: Telomere Attrition – Chromosomal Countdown
Your chromosomes, like the chapters in the book of life, are guarded by protective bodyguards called telomeres. With each cell division, these telomeres shrink, marking the countdown of cellular life. While aging, the telomeres become damaged, not just shortened, which further stresses the cells.
Citation: (Harley et al., 1990)
Chapter 3: Blueprint for Youth
Your body is a blueprint, and lifestyle choices are the architects. Now, let's meet another antagonist:
Hallmark 3: Epigenetic Alterations – Dance of Gene Expression
The epigenome determines which genes are active and provides instructions for genes that need to be kept inactive. But epigenome waltz to the rhythm of aging and tends to make active genes deactivate and vice versa, leading to instability in the DNA.
Citation: (López-Otín et al., 2013)
Chapter 4: The Battle Against Proteostasis Loss
Hallmark 4: Loss of Proteostasis
Proteins are the building blocks and workhorses of our cells. They are continuously built up and broken down in a complex and intricate recycling process. But with aging, they start to accumulate in and around the cells causing coagulation known as “Protein Toxicity” which hampers the functioning of cells.
Citation: (Koga et al., 2011)
Chapter 5: Protein Guardians
Proteins are the unsung heroes of your body, ensuring everything runs like a well-oiled machine. Now, let's uncover another chapter:
Hallmark 5: Deregulated Nutrient Sensing – Nutrient Traffic Control
With increased metabolic activity and changes in nutrient availability & composition, our cells age faster which deregulates various nutrient-sensing molecules. E.g. a misguided hypothalamus may signal for greater food intake when the body does not require it leading to age-related obesity, diabetes, and other metabolic syndromes.
Citation: (López-Otín et al., 2013)
Chapter 6: Mitochondrial Boost – Energizing Your Cells
Hallmark 6: Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondria, the powerhouses of your cells, produce energy to fuel your daily activities. Each cell can contain hundreds to thousands of mitochondria. But with age, they become sluggish, leading to a cellular energy crisis and hence, symptoms of aging.
Citation: (Harman, 1972)
Chapter 7: Cellular Rejuvenation
Think of your cells as superheroes, each with a specific mission. Now, let's meet another foe:
Hallmark 7: Cellular Senescence – The Aging Hero's Rest
Senescent cells or “zombie cells” are those that normally should’ve died but tend to linger in the body perpetually. During aging, their number increases in our tissues and secrete substances that damage the healthy surrounding cells. Accumulation of senescent cells contributes to wrinkles, brain inflammation, and aging.
Citation: (Campisi, 2013)
Chapter 8: Fountain of Regeneration
Hallmark 8: Stem Cell Exhaustion
Stem cells are the architects of tissue renewal, but with age, the amount of stem cells declines in our body due to epigenetic dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein accumulation & more. This leads to our tissues being less maintained, repaired, and replenished, contributing to aging.
Citation: (Sharpless and DePinho, 2007)
Chapter 9: Whisper of Communication
Imagine your cells as a grand orchestra, each playing its part.
Hallmark 9: Altered Intercellular Communication – The Cellular Symphony
Cells communicate to coordinate their functions like musicians playing in harmony. With age, this communication falters. Apart from damaging healthy cells, senescent cells secrete pro-inflammatory substances that cause damage throughout the body and sometimes cause insulin resistance.
Citation: (López-Otín et al., 2013)
Chapter 10: Cleanup on Aisle 9
Hallmark 10: Disabled Autophagy – Cellular Cleanup Crew
Macroautophagy or Autophagy is the cellular cleanup crew, recycling damaged components. With age, this process becomes sluggish, leading to a buildup of cellular debris such as protein aggregates, dysfunctional organelles, and even pathogens leading to Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, & cardiovascular disease.
Citation: (Rubinsztein et al., 2011)
Chapter 11: Fight Against the Flaming Dragon
Hallmark 11: Inflammaging – The Inflammatory Symphony
Inflammation is a natural response, but as you age, it can become chronic, leading to "Inflammaging". It has the power to cause great damage beneath your skin and is deeply involved in the development and progression of human cancers.
Citation: (Franceschi et al., 2007)
Chapter 12: The Gut Orchestra
Hallmark 12: Microbiome Disbiosis – The Gut Orchestra
Your gut is a bustling orchestra of microorganisms, but with age, this harmony can be disrupted. When the cooperation between the gut microbes and our cells falters, the microbial community within the gut can become an infection source and lead to obesity, IBD, diabetes, allergies, depression, and more.
Citation: (O'Toole et al., 2017)
Empowering Your Journey to Agelessness
In this intricate symphony of aging, Varalife stands as a valuable ally. Through scientifically formulated supplements, Varalife is designed to support your efforts in addressing these hallmarks of aging. It complements your lifestyle choices, providing a comprehensive approach to promoting a longer, healthier life. Remember, the power to age gracefully is in your hands, and Varalife is here to walk this transformative journey with you.
Varalife®, through its novel longevity formulations, is here to assist one's journey through the valley of aging. Our formulations, VaraSpan® & VaraCare®, help target the root causes of aging and provide the necessary support to your body at a cellular to help you #AgeWithPower.
Citations:
- López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The hallmarks of aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194-1217.
- Harley, C. B., Futcher, A. B., & Greider, C. W. (1990). Telomeres shorten during ageing of human fibroblasts. Nature, 345(6274), 458-460.
- Koga, H., Kaushik, S., & Cuervo, A. M. (2011). Protein homeostasis and aging: The importance of exquisite quality control. Ageing Research Reviews, 10(2), 205-215.
- Harman, D. (1972). The biologic clock: the mitochondria? Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 20(4), 145-147.
- Campisi, J. (2013). Aging, cellular senescence, and cancer. Annual Review of Physiology, 75, 685-705.
- Sharpless, N. E., & DePinho, R. A. (2007). How stem cells age and why this makes us grow old. Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology, 8(9), 703-713.
- Rubinsztein, D. C., Mariño, G., & Kroemer, G. (2011). Autophagy and aging. Cell, 146(5), 682-695.
- Franceschi, C., Capri, M., Monti, D., Giunta, S., Olivieri, F., Sevini, F., ... & Salvioli, S. (2007). Inflammaging and anti-inflammaging: a systemic perspective on aging and longevity emerged from studies in humans. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 128(1), 92-105.
- O'Toole, P. W., Jeffery, I. B., & Gut microbiota as an ensemble player in inflammation and chronic disease. (2015). Genome medicine, 7(1), 1-12.
