Anti Aging

Over centuries, theories about aging have emerged and faded, but the true nature of the aging process is still uncertain. The fact is aging is a part of everyones life. But the facts of aging what is happening on a biochemical, genetic, and physiological level remain rich for exploration. In the broadest sense, aging reflects all the changes that occur over the course of life. Ageing Process Skin ageing, a highly complex but not yet fully understood process, is particularly interesting because of the continuously increasing life expectancy in many countries. Several theories have been developed to comprehend this progressive process. Ageing may be considered as the accumulation of different deleterious changes in cells and tissues. These changes may progressively impair biological functions, increase the risk of developing diseases and ultimately lead to death. Up to now, no integrative concept exists connecting the ageing models evolved so far.

Intrinsic and Extrinsic Skin Ageing Pathomechanism of intrinsic Skin Ageing Intrinsically aged skin is usually found in sun-protected areas. Photoageing may be considered a superposition of chronological skin ageing by UV-radiation. Skin may serve as a model organ for investigating both endogenous and exogenous ageing models. Extrinsic and intrinsic skin ageing show similarities in molecular mechanism. The following aspects are theories on intrinsic skin ageing : cellular ageing ( Hayflick-Limit) and shortening of telomers, mutations of mitochondrial DNA, oxidative stress, genetic mutations and decrease of several hormone levels. According to the free radical theory of aging, reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily arising from oxidative cell metabolism, play a major role in both chronological ageing and photoageing. Despite several antioxidative mechanisms, which deteriorate with increasing age, abound ROS damage cellular components. This damage leads to increasing ROS and decreasing antioxidative capacities and

finally to cellular ageing. ROS in extrinsic and intrinsic skin ageing may be assumed to induced the transcription factor c-jun via MAPK ( mitogen-activated protein kinase). This induction activates the decisive transcription factor AP-1 (activator protein 1), leads to the expression of matrix metalloproteinases MMP-1 (interstitial collagenase), MMP-3 ( stromelysin 1), and MMP-9 ( gelatinase b) and prevent the expression of procollagen- 1. In accordance with these results, elevated levels of partially degraded collagen are present in intrinsically aged skin similar to photoaged skin. Recently, an in vivo study has indicated that reduced transforming growth factor (TGF)-/smad signaling are probably responsible for the loss of type 1 procollagen expression in intrinsically aged skin.

Intrinsic skin ageing is strongly influenced by hormonal changes. Production of sex hormones in the gonads, the pituitary, and adrenal glands already gradually declines in the mid-twenties. Oestrogens and progesterone decay in line with the menopause. In particular, the deficiency in oestrogens and androgens cause dryness, wrinkling, epidermal atrophy, collagen breakdown and loss of elasticity.

Pathomechanisms of photoageing

Extrinsic skin ageing primarily arise from UV-Light exposure. Approximately 80% of facial skin ageing is attributed to UV-exposure. Further relevant exogenous factors are exposure to tobacco smoke, airborne particulate matter, infrared radiation, ozone, and malnutrition. Premature skin ageing or photoageing are synonyms for extrinsic skin ageing. The biological effects of UV-radiation are based on light absorption in chromophores and the subsequent conversion of energy in chemical reactions. UVA/UVB-radiation contribute to biological effects, resulting in skin ageing and photocarcinogenesis. The exact action spectrum, i.e., the biological effects depending on wavelengths, remain under. Short wave UVB is mainly absorbed in the epidermis, generating DNA-damage by forming photocarcinogenesis

cyclobutane prymidine dimers (CPDs) and 6,4-photoproducts. UVA-light is absorbed by cellular chromophores, such as urocanic acid, melanin precursors and riboflavin. These light-exposed chromophores generate ROS, which damage lipids, proteins and DNA. UVA-light is exceptionally relevant in photoageing because of its high penetration depth.

Degenerative disorders caused by ageing

Aging can be best described as the process that reduces the number of healthy cells in the body. As you age, and more and more cells are affected and die off, your body loses its ability to respond to emergencies and fight off these free radical attacks. Eventually, this manifests in some kind of disease. Oxidative stress may be the sole cause of some diseases, but more often it weakens your immune system and makes your body vulnerable to diseases caused by other factors. Oxidation may also worsen existing conditions and slow down the healing process. Degenerative Diseases. There's almost no common disease that is not associated with oxidative stress.

This include all of the major degenerative diseases we have today: cancer heart disease and stroke diabetes Parkinson's Alzheimer's arthritis macular degeneration and cataracts rheumatoid arthritis asthma and emphysema kidney and liver disorders

Environmental Causes of Aging. Sources of oxidative stress, and the free radicals that cause it, include: environmental toxins and pollution pesticides and herbicides strenuous exercise chronic illnesses processed foods and food additives chronic inflammation smoking ultraviolet radiation from the sun electromagnetic radiation in your environment emotional stress

Deficiencies and Oxidative Stress. The growing rate of degenerative diseases in our culture today points to a widespread deficiency in antioxidants. Throughout our history, humans evolved eating a much more substantial intake of food, especially fruits and vegetables (which are rich in antioxidants), combined with an active lifestyle. Today, we live a much more sedate lifestyle, combined with a lower intake of nutritious, unprocessed food that is rich in antioxidants. Combined with the increase in free radical attacks from our environment, this has created an unhealthy imbalance in the antioxidants and free radicals in our bodies. Industrial Agriculture. The use of pesticides, herbicides and selective breeding to increase crop yield has led to declines in protein, amino acids, and minerals in typical factory-farmed fruits and vegetables. Overeating. One of the surprising causes of aging is the amount of food you eat. Food requires oxygen to convert it into energy. Eating more food, especially poor quality food, requires more oxygen to convert it to energy. The more oxygen that is used, the more free radicals are produced. This theory is clearly demonstrated by the numerous "calorie-restriction" studies. Laboratory animals live longer and healthier by eating a nutrient-dense

diet with 40-50 percent fewer calories. With less food to metabolize, fewer free radicals are produced. Our Toxic Environment. Biologists say that there has not been enough evolutionary time for humans to adapt to as many toxins as we are exposed to today. The human body is fundamentally the same as it was 40,000 years ago, but the stressors that we are being exposed to have changed dramatically.