Theories of Aging: How Our Genetic Clock Can Affect Our Aging Process
For many years, experts have been trying to figure out why people age. Yes, we all know that aging is part of our natural biological process, but what we don't really know is that why some people tend to grow old faster compared to others and why other people tend to live longer compared to their peers.
The idea that some people have slower biological clock compared to others led scientists and researchers to come up with different theories of aging. Although most of these theories of aging are based on the results of long studies, scientists and experts have not really reached a common consensus on this matter which leads to several conflicting theories of aging.
The Planned Obsolescence Theory
One of the most famous theories of aging is the planned obsolescence theory which focuses on the human DNA. Note that that our DNA is our individual genetic blue-print which we inherit from our parents. No, we do not have the exact replica of the DNA of our parents.
Our parents only influence the genetic composition of our bodies. Each of us is born with unique genetic codes that can only be attributable to us. Our DNA regulates the mental and physical functions of our bodies. It also determines the rate at which we age. Based on this theory of aging, our DNA determines when we will become obsolete or old.
Although this theory of aging is well accepted by many sectors of society, there are also some experts who repute such assumption that our DNA alone controls our aging process. According to scientists and researchers who do not agree with this theory of aging, there are several factors that can affect the aging process of the body.
External factors such as diet, lifestyle, environmental pollution, toxins and other factors may hasten the aging process of the body. When external factors affect the genetic composition of the body, experts believe that the aging process accelerates. On the other hand, when the external factors become favorable, the aging process can be slowed down considerably.
The idea that the aging process can be accelerated or slowed down by eternal factors gave birth to yet another theory of aging which is the Telomerase Theory of Aging. This theory of aging is actually an offshoot of the planned obsolesnce theory and still relies on the state of the human DNA to explain why some people tend to age faster than others.
