What processes cause aging

What processes cause aging?

The topic for this week, "What processes cause aging?" is very related to last week's question of "Why we age".  Essentially, they are two separate questions, but often go hand in hand.  While we didn't discuss every theory related to aging (there are hundreds!) the chapter presented some examples in addition to what your classmates also discussed or linked to in their own blogs.

For this week, I have two tasks:

1. Read the blogs of your classmates. Either leave a comment or pose a question regarding something they linked to or discussed (this can be previous posts).

2. Create a short post mentioning something interesting you read about for this weeks readings.

I found it interesting how the author related aging to a car rusting.  So with oxidization it's like we're all rusting on the inside.

I also found it interesting that they discovered mice with low calorie intake seem to age more slowly.  Would this make perpetual dieting or leading a low intake type of lifestyle result in a slower aging process for humans?  And I suppose a better question would be: how is aging measured . . .

Totally unrelated, but once upon a time a lady who looked 25 but was really 45 told me that she was once a professional ice skater and believed that the cold of being in the rink practicing all the time had "preserved" her and frozen her youth.  And off the top of my head, I can't think of any haggly looking ice skaters.

Why does aging happen

Why Does Aging Happen

The reading for this week is the chapter "Why does aging happen?" from the book, "Why we age: What science is discovering through the body's journey through life".  The book takes categorizes thoughts into three causal theories of aging.  These include: "the good-of-the species theory, the rate-of-living theory and the evolutionary aging theory" (p. 55).  Do you agree with any of these theories?  Are there any other theories out there that you find interesting or have discussed in a class?

For your own blogging this week:
In your own words, how would you explain "Why we age?"

Can you give an example or provide a link to an interesting source that supports your explanation?

http://www.senescence.info/theories.html

Healthy Aging

Our first class discussion is regarding "What is Healthy Aging?"

What would you define as healthy aging?

At what point in the lifespan does aging happen?

How would you measure this?  Can it be applied to everyone?


Assignment:
1. Create your own blog.
2. Write a post on what your definition of healthy aging is.  Include examples of what is or isn't healthy aging.  Are there other definitions on the web that you found? 
3. Add class members to your blog roll.




Some people grow old nicely, like George Clooney and Brad Pitt for example.  Others, probably the majority of Americans, can't maintain that movie-star attractiveness past their prime.
I think it's safe to say that a healthy lifestyle and healthy aging are directly correlated.  By healthy lifestyle I just mean an average person who is nutritionally mindful and exercises regularly.
An example of an unhealthy lifestyle would be a heroin addicted prostitute.
The majority of Americans suffer from obesity, which has been linked to other health related issues, and generally stems from poor eating habits along with a sedentary or unhealthy lifestyle.
Genetics also play a role in how one might age.
We begin aging from birth.