Life Line

Fighting the signs of aging

DEAR READERS,

Janice is a 45-year-old female from Braeton, St. Catherine.

She has noticed the presence of gray hairs for several years but now she sees some sagging at the corners of her month and slight but permanent bags under her eyes. She says she is not really a vain person but tries to take care of herself. She asks LIFELINE, 'why do these changes have to occur why do we age'?

The years which we are allowed to live, our life expectancy, is probably genetically defined. Some families are traditionally "long livers" of course, this genetically defined life expectancy is influenced by many factors. The longer we live the more the likelihood of developing pathological conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, rheumoti arthritis and cancer, which age and destroy body tissues. Environmental stress is another very important factor which affects aging. We sometimes hear of people whose hair seemed to turn grey or white, almost immediately after a stressful event such as the death of a loved one. Mental anguish is often visible in the faces

of those who suffer as worry lines over the forehead, beside the nose and bracketing the month. "Aging is a degenerative process assisted with a decrease in viability and an increase in vulnerability resulting in an increased probability of death with increasing chronological age". (schofield and Davies 1978).

Genetic inheritance

As we grow older alterations and changes develop in our body cells which result in a decreased capacity to repair damaged organs. These changes progress steadily but at different rates in different people depending on the genetic inheritance. Each species has its own maximal life expectancy, and so too does man.

Toxic substances called 'free radicals' which we are increasingly exposed to in the modern environment cause internal damage to the human body cells allowing for increased susceptibility to cancers and infection, and also, to the aging process. There has been some experimental proof in animals, that were given large amounts of antioxidants in their diet, that their lifespan was prolonged. There are a range of antioxidants available to use including vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, Co Enzyme Q10 and Pcynogenol. These are available in several forms. Dieting vitamin supplement, topical skin creams and of course from nature in the form of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Of course, many signs of aging can be removed with modern day injections of Batulinum toxin (Botox) which relax and remove wrinkles by liposuction or by the plastic surgeons knife.

All very effective methods which, however, do have some associated risks.