The concept of aging ranges fromwrinkled skin, decreasing performance, and hair loss to forgetfulness. It is therefore a very broadly defined term. This is not surprising when one considers how differently the process manifests in people. However, all the described processes are merely the end state of a series of reactions and conditions in our body.
To better understand the molecular processes,researchers around the globe are trying to decipher the processes behind our wrinkles and our increasingly poorer performance in older age.
In this regard, science is a kind of construct that does not settle for the status quo but constantly strives for new knowledge.This approach often leads to the following understanding:
“When you understand how something works, you can also try to change it.”
The same is true in the Longevity field. A group around researcher Carlos López-Otíndescribed nine hallmarks of aging in a widely noted paper.These nine hallmarks were expanded to twelve in 2023 with the addition of three more. Here, we provide you with an overview of all 12 hallmarks and delve deeper into each in the individual articles.
Did you know?The 12 Hallmarks of Aging describe how our body ages on a molecular level. However, we are not powerless against it.Through recent research, scientists have uncovered why, for example, fasting and exercise have a positive effect on the Hallmarks of Aging. From all these insights and dozens of scientific studies, we have developed the ONE (Daily Foundational Formula) for you. 13 carefully selected ingredients that cover all Hallmarks of Aging.
MoleQlar ONE combines 13 carefully selected molecules, vitamins, and minerals in three different flavors.All molecular markers of aging have been taken into account in the careful selection of ingredients.
The DNA is similar to a blueprint for our body –if certain pages are missing, the whole book or the entire plan may not make sense. Such changes can be repaired better by the body at a young age than in later life stages. Additionally, there is an increased susceptibility to errors in old age.
The DNA is not a single large book, butthe genetic information is divided into 23 smaller books (chromosomes). Each individual cell is equipped with this small library (genome).The last chapter of this "booklet" is special and is referred to as telomere. Here, no information is coded anymore, but the telomeres serve as a protective barrier for the DNA. The telomeres naturally shorten with each cell division. Once a certain threshold (Hayflick limit) is reached, the cell function succumbs .
Epigenetics attempts to explain which factors temporarily determine the activity of a gene and consequently the development of the cell . However, these factors are not based on potential changes in the genetic information (example: mutations), but on different small proteins that can bind to the DNA.As a result, the binding of one or more genes can (more or less) influence activity. In addition, epigenetics is involved in the development or differentiation of cells.
Proteostasis consists of the two termsProteome(the totality of proteins that can be produced in the body) andHomeostasis(balance). If something goes wrong in the regulation of proteins, individual proteins may no longer appear at all or may appear in excess. This, in turn, affects the functionality of the cells.The mentioned process plays a role in known diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
In this context, thebody's reaction to food intake is relevant. Its regulation occurs in conjunction with growth hormone and other hormones. Here, calorie restriction andfasting are significant.Furthermore, we deal with autophagy and specific longevity genes: thesirtuins, which have also been extensively researched byDr. David Sinclair.
With the increasing age of cells and organisms, the effectiveness of energy supply in our cellular power plants – the Mitochondria– tends to decrease. This insight is based on two mechanisms. On the one hand, electrons are lost, and on the other hand, ATP production decreases.ATP is the most important energy carrier in our body. In this context, we also learn the terms Hormesis and Mitohormesis.
Cellular senescence describes the state of a halted cell cycle.This means that the cell shuts down its functionality and can no longer divide. This standstill is often triggered by DNA changes. It is, in a way, a protective mechanism.This protective mechanism is well-intentioned, especially in old age, but sometimes poorly executed. In connection with senescence, there is often also talk aboutsenolytics.
With age, the ability of our stem cells to divide decreases – they become "exhausted". As a result, damaged or broken cells can no longer be renewed. This ultimately leads to various types of tissues being unable to adequately regenerate or recover.
This marker looks beyond the cell-autonomous level.Aging also involves changes in the communication between cells. An increasing inflammatory response and decreasing immune surveillance are exemplary consequences of this factor with partly drastic effects on physiological aging.
Chronicinflammationis one of the signs of aging, asinflammatory markers increase with age, which is summarized under the acronym "Inflammaging".The reasons are diverse and range from vascular deposits (atherosclerosis), to neuroinflammation or pro-inflammatory signals from visceral fat tissue. This can be measured through inflammatory parameters, such as CRP or interleukin-6 (IL-6). IL-6, in particular, is considered a marker for increased mortality when chronically high levels are present. Inflammaging is closely linked to the other hallmarks, and the boundaries are often fluid.
We do not live alone –in our gut, there are billions of bacteria with which we enter into a symbiosis. This balance is not only disrupted in some diseases but also seems to no longer be in our favor as we age. The symbiosis turns into a dysbiosis in ourmicrobiome.
When the "garbage collection" fails in old age, it is referred to as altered (macro) autophagy. In our body, large amounts of cellular waste are generated daily, which are disposed of by specialized helpers through autophagy. This can include proteins, nutrients, but also entire cell organelles, such as mitochondria. In old age, this autophagy no longer functions properly – with far-reaching consequences for our health.
At first glance, all of this sounds very scientific, opaque, and initially not very understandable – don’t let that discourage you! We will now take a closer look at each of the Hallmarks of Aging in a series of articles, with the goal of grasping and understanding the fundamentals of aging.
The excursion into the deeper cell biology of aging is full of surprises. We will show you why there are "zombie cells" in your body and what they have to do with aging. Or you will learn how your cells dispose of their waste and why this process doesn’t work as well in aging. So don’t worry, we have made the somewhat dry theory understandable and exciting for you.At the end of this series, you will be well informed about what aging entails and how we can (perhaps) stop it.
Sources
Literature:
López-Otín, C., Blasco, M. A., Partridge, L., Serrano, M., & Kroemer, G. (2013). The hallmarks of aging. Cell, 153(6), 1194–1217. Link
López-Otín, Carlos et al. “Hallmarks of aging: An expanding universe.” Cell vol. 186,2 (2023): 243-278. Link
Graphics:
The images were acquired under license from Canva.
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