What problems does cell aging cause?

Cellular aging is an inevitable natural process and it brings many consequences to the body and human health. Understanding cellular aging not only helps us become more aware of this process, but also opens up opportunities to find solutions to prolong lifespan and improve quality of life.

1. What is cellular aging?

Cellular aging is a state in which the cell cycle is arrested, causing cells to stop proliferating and become resistant to growth-promoting stimuli, often in response to DNA damage. Aging was first described by Leonard Hayflick when he observed that human fetal fibroblasts eventually stopped dividing, but remained alive and metabolically active after long periods of culture. It is now generally accepted that only transformed malignant cells multiply indefinitely, while unmodified cells do not, with the exception of cell types with stem cell-like properties. . These include endogenous germ cells and somatic stem cells, in addition to embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells that develop under controlled in vitro conditions. Senescent cells differ from both quiescent cells that can reenter the cell cycle and terminally differentiated cells.

The aging cells is characterized by morphological and metabolic changes, chromatin reorganization, altered gene expression, and adoption of an inflammatory phenotype known as the aging-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The biological role of aging is complex because both protective and deleterious effects of senescent cells have been described, largely depending on the physiological context. For example, while aging may have evolved as a mechanism to avoid malignant transformation of damaged cells, the onset of aging may contribute to many pathologies associated with age, including cancer, tissue degeneration and inflammatory diseases.

The terms aging and cellular senescence cannot be used interchangeably. Aging is a gradual decline over time while aging occurs throughout the life cycle, including during embryogenesis. The number of senescent cells increases with age, but aging also plays an important role in development as well as in wound healing.

2. Why do cells age? How does cellular aging occur?

Aging prevents the replication of cells containing damaged DNA, which plays an important role in anti-tumor function. Aging often occurs in response to damaging stimuli, including telomere shortening (replicative senescence), DNA damage (DNA-damaging senescence), and oncogenic signaling (induced senescence). caused by oncogene).

So qHow does cellular aging occur? Progress cell aging takes place through many complex stages and is influenced by many factors inside and outside the body. Here are the main steps in this process:

• DNA damage: Cellular aging often begins when DNA is damaged, due to factors such as oxidative stress, UV rays, toxic chemicals, or errors in DNA replication. These damages are not completely repaired, leading to an accumulation of genetic errors.
• Accumulation of faulty and improperly functioning proteins: This process reduces the cell’s ability to regenerate and function, and causes a buildup of damaged or deformed proteins.
• Activation of signaling pathways: When a cell recognizes damage, it activates signaling pathways, such as the p53 pathway, to prevent the cell from continuing to divide. This pathway will put cells into a state of aging or self-destruction through apoptosis.
• Cell cycle arrest: Senescent cells stop at a certain point in the cell cycle and do not continue to divide. This results from inhibition of growth factors and signals from intracellular signaling pathways.
• Structural and functional changes: Aging cells change in structure, lose the ability to perform normal functions and begin to secrete inflammatory substances and other factors that affect the cells. around.
• Systemic effects: Aging cells not only affect themselves but also have negative effects on the surrounding environment, including the activation of inflammatory responses and impaired function of tissues and organs. .

Cell aging process contributes to the decline in body function and is the main cause of age-related diseases.

3. How to slow down the aging process of cells?

Slow down cellular aging process has been the target of much scientific research, and there are a number of measures that have proven effective in reducing speed. aging cells. Here are some key ways:

• Healthy diet:
  • Antioxidant-rich diet: Foods such as green vegetables, fruits, and nuts are high in antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage caused by oxidative stress, the main cause of cellular aging. planing.
  • Calorie restriction: Research shows that calorie-restricted diets can prolong life and reduce the rate of cellular aging.
• Exercise regularly:
  • Physical activity: Regular exercise increases blood circulation, improves cardiovascular function, and promotes cell regeneration. It also reduces the levels of inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
• Reduce stress and get enough sleep:
  • Reduce stress: Prolonged stress causes an increase in the production of free radicals and inflammatory substances, which speed up cellular aging. Practicing relaxation techniques such as meditation and yoga can help control stress.
  • Get enough sleep: Sleep is the time when the body repairs and regenerates cells. Ensuring enough and quality sleep helps reduce the speed of cell aging.
• Protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays:
  • Use sunscreen: UV rays from the sun are the main cause of DNA damage in skin cells, leading to premature aging. Using sunscreen daily can help protect your skin from this damage.
• Use supplements and medications:
  • Supplements: Certain supplements such as vitamin C, vitamin E, resveratrol, and NAD+ have been studied for their ability to slow cellular aging.
  • Supportive drugs: Research is developing drugs that can interfere with cellular aging pathways, such as metformin or rapamycin, but their use requires medical supervision.
• Maintain an overall healthy lifestyle:
  • Don’t smoke: Smoking increases oxidative stress and DNA damage, so stopping smoking can slow down cellular aging.
  • Avoid exposure to toxic substances: Limiting exposure to toxic chemicals and environmental pollution can reduce negative effects on cells.

Applying these measures not only helps slow down cellular aging process but also improves quality of life and prolongs lifespan.

In short, cell aging is a natural process but brings many challenges to health and quality of life. Impaired cellular function not only affects individual organs but also contributes to increased risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. Understand well cell aging and the factors that promote this process are the first step in finding effective prevention and treatment measures. By maintaining a healthy lifestyle, we can slow down the aging process, improve our health and prolong our lifespan, thereby improving our quality of life in our older years. If you have this health problem, you need to proactively take care of your health early to live a healthy and long life.