Aging. What is it?

This is the first of our multipart series on Aging. We hope that you will find them interesting, insightful, and educational.

- Morgan

Quote from Dana P. Goldman, director of Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics at the University of Southern California, appearing in Health, Why slowing the aging process could save the US trillions. (2023)

Aging. What is it? The Cambridge Dictionary defines “aging” as becoming older. (Hmmm.) It defines “old” as having lived a long life, being no longer young. (Hmmm. Hmmm.) It defines “young” as having lived or existed for only a short time. (Huh?) Well, does that mean we get old in a short amount of time? (Interesting.) If the maximum human life span is around 100 years, then there is something to that statement:  More than two-thirds of our lifespan may be spent getting old!

A survey conducted by Pew Research found that nearly half of all respondents over 50 felt at least ten years younger than their chronological age. One-quarter of respondents between 18 and 29 felt older than their chronological age.

So, is age simply relative?  A state of mind?  Well, yes and no.

Believe it or not, from the moment of conception, our tissues and organs begin to age. Perceptible signs of aging (i.e., grey hair) may begin as early as our 20’s.  Skin starts to sag in our mid-20’s when the human body loses its capacity to manufacture collagen. The amount of our muscle mass tends to decrease around 30. (Since when did our 20’s and 30’s become “old”?) Aging begins sooner than most of us are aware or many of us would like to admit—in a relatively short amount of time.

Perform a search for the term medical aging, and you will find many definitions. Putting aside the academic debate, let’s look at life from a purely biological perspective as a constituent of the natural world around us. It stands to reason that our bodies are intrinsically designed to reach a peak state at some point so that we may successfully reproduce and perpetuate our species.

This period seems to be during our early adulthood after sexual maturity, at least during our early 20’s (although some argue this extends into our 30’s). Under that reasoning, nature relies on substitution to replace us in that role after our peak, as we become somewhat biologically less desirable.

This decline is rooted in nature and encoded in our genes. Declines may be so subtle that they may not become perceptible for quite some time. Yet, they occur every minute of every day, and the effects are generally cumulative. Disease surfaces as the tragic result of these cumulative effects.

The nature of things is essential for numerous reasons, but let’s stick to three takeaways.

• First, anti-aging considerations should begin sooner than our 50’s—not just when we think that we are getting old or when we suffer the onset of andropause or menopause.
• Second, we know that aging-related diseases—such as neurodegenerative diseases, certain cancers, cardiovascular diseases (i.e., hypertension), and metabolic diseases (i.e., diabetes)—may be prevented (or delayed or risks minimized) by timely interventions despite our genetic dispositions.
• Last, while everyone is different, we know that lifespan can be extended (and aging delayed) by extrinsic factors (exercise, eating well, etc.) and timely interventions.

Despite nature, you’re never too old, too young, or too late to feel better or to gain health or function. To your loved ones, you are still an essential part of their lives. So when it comes to your life, stay functional and healthy—not just for you, but for your loved ones too.

Modern science has provided greater insight into aging and many more tools to address it. At Azena, we view chronological age as a marker and benchmark to improve your biological age. Regardless of your chronological age, you’re never too young or old to feel younger and better. With our anti-aging and active aging programs, we help you manage and delay the effects of aging at any stage in life. Our mission is to help you look, feel, and function better—naturally.

Our comprehensive and individualized approach aims to place you ahead of the aging curve, reduce your biological age, and keep you functioning optimally—and feeling younger and better—for as long as you may live, and regardless of age.