/Video/Why Do Our Bodies Age?

Why Do Our Bodies Age?

Human bodies are not designed to live forever. Typically, we can maintain a healthy function only up to about 90 years. But the real question is, what does aging actually mean? And how does it interact with the body’s efforts to protect itself?

In 1997, Jeanne Calment, a French woman, passed away at the age of 122 years and 164 days, becoming the longest-living person on record. Her lifespan was so astonishing that a millionaire offered a $1 million prize to anyone who could outlive her. However, living beyond 100 years, or even surpassing the 120-year mark, remains an exceedingly rare feat, with very few people ever achieving it.

Jeanne Calment at the nursing home in Arles, France. Photo taken in October 1995, when she was 120 years old. Photo: AP

Aging: Definition and Causes

We can all instinctively feel aging—growth for children, and aging for adults. However, defining aging scientifically is not simple. In simple terms, aging occurs when the processes in our body, alongside environmental factors (such as sunlight, toxins in the air, water, and diet), cause changes in the structure and function of molecules and cells. These changes gradually lead to a decline in bodily function and eventually result in the death of cells, tissues, and organs.

While we do not yet fully understand the mechanisms behind aging, scientists have identified several key physiological factors contributing to this process, including:

1. DNA Damage and Mitochondria

Over time, genetic damage accumulates in the body due to DNA replication. This damage naturally occurs as DNA doubles or in non-dividing cells. Mitochondria—critical organelles in every cell—are particularly susceptible to damage. Mitochondria produce ATP, the main energy source for all cellular metabolic processes, and they also regulate many other important cellular functions. When mitochondrial function declines, cells lose their ability to operate normally, leading to organ failure.

2. Gene Expression and Degenerative Diseases

Aging also involves changes in gene expression. Genes that remain dormant in the body of the young begin to become more active as we age, contributing to the development of degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s. This process may be one of the main causes of health issues in older individuals.

3. Declining Cell Regeneration

Another key factor in aging is the decline in the ability of cells to regenerate. Every cell in the body contains a protective DNA segment called a telomere, located at the ends of chromosomes. As cells divide, the telomeres shorten. When telomeres become too short, cells can no longer divide and will die, reducing the body’s ability to regenerate. This affects the ability to repair and regenerate tissues and organs.

4. Decline in Stem Cells

Aging also impacts stem cells—cells capable of unlimited self-renewal to replace other cells. As we age, the number of stem cells decreases, and their regenerative abilities weaken. This leads to the body’s struggle to maintain and repair tissues and organs.

5. Loss of Protein Regulation and Cell Communication Breakdown

One manifestation of aging is the gradual loss of cells’ ability to regulate proteins, preventing them from efficiently processing nutrients and damaged cells. This results in the accumulation of toxins in the body and decreases the metabolism of cells. Eventually, cell communication slows down, disrupting the coordination of functions within the body.

Is Extending Lifespan a Hope or a Fantasy? What Does the Future Hold for Longevity?

The big question remains: can we extend our lifespan through diet, exercise, medicine, or advanced technologies like nanobots and gene therapy? Current research is opening up promising possibilities for intervening in the aging process, but is this truly feasible? And do we even want to live longer when our health and minds may not be the same as before?

Starting with Jeanne Calment and her record-breaking lifespan, science is continuously exploring ways to extend life. However, we still do not have a definitive answer. While technology may help extend lifespan, the key question is whether we want to live longer or just lead a healthier and more fulfilling life in the limited time we have.

Curiosity and research continue, and in the future, we may discover ways to not just live longer, but also live healthier.

Content adapted from the video “Why Do Our Bodies Age?” on the TED-Ed YouTube channel with nearly 3 million views.

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