What Role Genetics Play in Aging

It seems that no one knows exactly what causes aging. Scientists have studied possible causes, resulting in various theories, one of which is that genetics do have a certain role to play in the aging process. This role is not the only one, and may not even be a major role, however it is a part of the process of aging and is therefore of interest. Once it is known what causes aging, then certain steps can be taken to push the boundaries, but which steps are taken depend on which theory is considered to be most likely right.

That genetics play a role in aging is more than a theory, since studies and experiments in changing the genes of certain mice have caused them to age much faster than others. What is not known is the percentage that genetics plays in the aging process compared to other factors. Some suggest that it only contributes 30% to aging, while other causes such as environment and hazard factors are the larger percentage.

Mutating certain genes in worms had caused an increase in their lifespan that would translate to about 300 years in humans. It is also known that in Werner’s syndrome, a mutated gene – thought to be involved in DNA maintenance – causes excessive and fast aging in humans. This would seem to point towards the fact that genetics does play a role of some kind in aging.

If those genes that are involved in the aging process are also involved in controlling the damage caused by aging, then such data would support another theory, which is that our lifespan is determined by how much damage is done to our DNA by various body functions like metabolism.

Scientists have found that ingesting fewer calories increases an animal’s lifespan. They think that eating less means there is need for less metabolism and thus less DNA and cellular damage is caused. Most of us have seen those old people who are extremely thin, yet seem to have almost as much energy in their old age as they had in their youth.

While scientists spend billions of dollars trying to find out the causes of aging, we mere mortals simply turn to the Bible and find that the Lord said,

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What Minerals Can Do to Slow Aging

The body is made up of many parts, all of which need the proper nutrients to promote healing of damaged tissues, regeneration and health. Among the many nutrients that the body needs are minerals like sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, chlorine, sulphur, and magnesium, which are macro minerals and constitute 90% of our mineral needs. The other 10% is made up of 10 trace minerals.

If our bodies are short of minerals to any great degree, then illness and aging results. For instance, copper helps to make tissue elastic, so a lack of copper causes the body tissues to sag and droop with wrinkles and flabby skin the result. Of course the opposite holds true; if there is no lack, these signs of aging are absent.

Low magnesium and selenium can cause heart disease, which will certainly have an aging result, as those with heart disease cannot be as active as a healthy person. One of the tasks magnesium does is to regulate the amount of calcium in our bodies. It actually guards the cells from retaining a toxic amount by ejecting it from the cell once its work is done.

Zinc is an important mineral since our brain depends on adequate supplies to develop properly. Deficiency at certain times of our development can cause dyslexia while a deficiency – along with copper and magnesium lack – will cause infertility. Zinc is said to lessen the symptoms and duration of colds and influenza, thus playing an important part in keeping us healthy.

Chromium plays an important process in keeping us feeling youthful and energetic. Lack of chromium means that the glucose needed for energy is not transported to all the parts of the body that need it. Worse still, the glucose is converted to fat and stored, causing us to gain weight. Chromium can be sourced from brewer’s yeast, liver and kidney, but it is difficult to get enough for the body’s needs. A supplement may help you to lose weight and give you more energy, as was the case with a study reported in All Natural Muscular Development (3/99 – pg 31). Supplements of chromium picolinate are safe to take with no build-up in the body.

Potassium plays an important part in nerve function and also helps to regulate other nutrients in our bodies, making sure there is no over-supply or lack. It is necessary for the healthy function of every organ. Potassium helps to prevent disease with even a small lack over time seeing the onset of various diseases.