Friday, July 16, 2021

Ageless: The New Science of Getting Older Without Getting Old

People get old. As they get older, they are susceptible to many ailments and eventually die. The science of aging explores ways to counteract those actions. The book explores the research into aging. It doesn't spend much time exploring the ethical impacts of aging. (What does happen if we have a lot more people living a lot longer?) However, it does note that the "unhealthy" typically consume a lot more medical resources for limited longevity.

The science of aging explores a number of corollaries in other lifeforms. Some beings live much longer than humans. Others live much shorter. We can look at the aspects of the long-lived organisms for insight. We can study short-lived organisms over multiple generations to quickly get feedback.

Many aspects of aging are the resultant of accumulative defects. Cells divide. DNA gets repaired. Various ailments are fought. Eventually, systems are overwhelmed. There is a reason why many ailments primarily impact the elderly. Their bodies are no longer able to "fight back" as well as when they were younger. Research has explored different therapies and approaches to help preserve the ability to maintain the body, even in old age. There are challenges. Cancer is a disease in which cell growth goes amuck. We need to be able to still have the "good" going, while prevent the bad. We want to be able to continue to have an active life, rather than merely just extend years.

There is both a genetic and an individual component to aging. Certain genes can help in different aspects of aging. Different conditions can also help. For instance, castrated eunuchs have had longer lifespans than non-sterilized individuals

While there are possibilities of great treatments for aging, for now it is mostly the simple things that can help reduce the impacts of aging. A nutritious diet helps. (Though supplements don't.) Exercise helps. Keeping a healthy weight helps. Caloric restriction is also beneficial. However, the appropriate balance must be found. (People typically eat too much. However, too little can be harmful. )

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