ANTIAGING METHODOLOGIES

HORMONES

Many of the physical and personal changes associated with aging are linked to declining Hormone levels. This decline in hormone levels affect the length of telomeres.

Telomeres

Telomeres are sequences at the ends of chromosomes. Cells with critically short telomeres ultimately alter their character and the cell diminishes, becomes sluggish and tired. The cell also becomes unresponsive to triggers that would normally stimulate it to divide. Though these growth arrested cells can live on in the body for years, once they have reached this state, they do not under normal circumstances, replicate themselves. They are said to have reached their Hayflick limit.

From the age that reproduction typically begins in the human species, individuals decline in overall efficiency, and their vulnerability to injury and illness increases. The technical term for this decline is 'senescence', less precisely termed 'aging'.

Hormones produced by glands, organs, and tissues, hormones act as the body's chemical messengers, flowing through the blood stream searching for special receptors. The activity of receptors are controlled by the specific hormone that fits it and also, to a lesser extent, by closely related hormones. The most commonly known are:

• Testosterone - The male hormone, testosterone is produced in the testes and may decline with age, though less frequently or significantly than oestrogen in women. Studies investigating its ability to strengthen muscles and prevent frailty and disability in older men are continuing. Its side effects are still unproven, and may include an increased risk of certain cancers, particularly prostate cancer.
• Oestrogen - The female hormone, produced mainly by the ovaries. In hormone replacement therapy, oestrogen is used to relieve discomforts of menopause, slow reducing bone density and help prevent cardiovascular disease .

In addition, and of special interest in anti-aging are:

• Growth Hormone - A product of the pituitary gland, GH impacts body composition, muscle strength and bone strength. It is released through the action of another hormone releasing hormone produced in the brain. HGH replacement works by stimulating the production of insulin-like growth factor, which comes mainly from the liver.
• Melatonin - Produced in the pineal gland responds to light and regulates seasonal changes in the body. As it declines during aging, it may trigger changes throughout the endocrine system, which impact sleep and ones ability to adjust time zones.
• DHEA - [dehydroepiandrosterone], is produced in the adrenal glands. Although it is regarded as a weak male hormone, it is present in both sexes. It remains inactive whilst circulating the body, until it reaches tissue that needs it. It also acts as a precursor to some other hormones, including both testosterone and oestrogen. DHEA supports anti-aging with stress response, immune system decline, and preventing certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease in men, cancer and multiple sclerosis. There is now evidence that too much DHEA can be harmful.

Most hormones begin their decline at about age 30, and peri-menopausal symptoms in women are not uncommon from 35 onwards until full menopause is reached.

Hormone Replacement

According to Dr. Elmer M. Cranton, "The goal of hormone replacement is to restore levels to those normally present for several decades during early adulthood. Safe levels at age 30 will remain safe when restored to that same level later in life. Adverse effects from hormone replacement result only from excessive doses ."

When some declining hormones are replaced, various signs of aging diminish. Oestrogen replacement therapy has been used for some years, in spite of divided controversy. Preliminary studies suggest that testosterone replacement may likewise have benefits for aging men, by increasing bone and muscle mass and strength. Questions about cancer risks surrounding both oestrogen and testosterone replacement therapy have yet to be resolved, but many individuals agree that the small increase in risk is largely outweighed by the improvements in life quality.

Human Growth Factors

Hormones are assisted by by a number of other substances that also stimulate or modulate cell activities. Known collectively as growth or trophic factors, these include substances such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), which moderates many of the actions of GH.

Growth hormone stimulates production of insulin-like growth factor [IGF-1]. Produced primarily in the liver, IGF-1 flows through the blood stream seeking IGF-1 receptors on the surface of various cells, including muscle cells. Using these receptors it signals the muscle cells to increase in size and number, perhaps by stimulating production of muscle-specific proteins. Six other known proteins bind with IGF-1; but as yet, their regulatory roles are not known.

The action of GH is impacted by other factors. Exercise, for example, stimulates GH secretion on its own. Obesity depresses production of GH. The way fat is distributed is also impacted by lower levels of GH; leading to an excess of abdominal fat but not to lower body fat.

Human Growth Hormones [HGH]

The rate at which cells reproduce is impacted by the level of Human Growth Hormone in the body. HGH levels decline from the age of 20 and as such, it is a common antiaging method to "supplement" these levels. As replacement of HGH through pills or injections is not effective in the first instance and expensive and inconvenient in the latter, a more reliable method is to use supplements that act as catalysts to encourage the body to produce higher levels of these hormones.

Oestrogen Hormone Treatments

Oestrogen hormone replacement is highly controversial. In some cases, replacement therapies can increase the rate of certain cancers, and in other cases, it decreases the rate of different cancers. Eventually whether to utilise oestrogen replacement therapy is an individual choice based upon family history or genetic predisposition to cancer and also the individuals own history.

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