Cells and Aging: The Connection

This is the second of our multipart series on Aging. We hope that you will find this and others interesting, insightful, and educational. And look for our posts on social media during in September as we celebrate Healthy Aging Month!

- Morgan Burns, APRN

Quote from Ellen Quarles, Asst. Professor in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan, as appearing in The Conversation (July 6, 2023).

A recent study from The Stanford University School of Medicine found that aging precipices occur at ages 40 and 60 at the molecular and microorganism levels. It got us thinking about our clinical approach to prevention, so we thought we would share our thoughts on the topic of homeostasis, which we stress in our treatment strategies with patients.

Trillions of cells comprise the amazing human body, which must all work synchronously together to keep the subject host alive and healthy. They are responsible for maintaining, defending, and repairing the bodily systems essential for metabolism, hydration, waste removal, and communication, to name a few.  They get no time off; and for optimal health, they must be ready to go at a moment’s notice, 24/7.  That’s an incredibly tall order for any machine, let alone a biological one with an extended life span.

Every one of these processes can be interrupted or damaged—over time or abruptly. In fact, damage occurs daily (e.g., normal wear and tear), and the cells spend much time and energy diagnosing and fixing problems. So, is it any wonder that these cell colonies may eventually get tired or simply wear out over time notwithstanding the seismic shifts as the Standford researchers found?

Prof. Quarles states, “As damage accumulates, the systems meant to fix it are accruing damage as well.  This leads to a cycle of increasing wear and tear as our cells age.” Thus, aging leads to broad- reaching dysfunctions and failures at all levels.

To better understand this concept, think about the adage involving a new automobile. The value is generally the highest the moment that you drive off the sales lot—when the exterior looks “new” and the systems work optimally. With each mile driven, the systems wear down (most times, imperceptibly with no noticeable change in performance). As car owners, we manually intervene by changing tires, brake pads, oil, etc., to regain automotive performance (e.g., automotive homeostasis). However, without complete replacement of every system on a regular basis, over time our beloved vehicle will lose performance and will eventually become inoperable due to some catastrophic system failure.

The human body too is subject to system erosion and failure, sometimes referred to as dysregulation or dysfunction. Despite scientific advances, we cannot yet trade our worn bodies in for newer models. Yes, we can replace a part or two with a good mechanic (a/k/a orthopedic surgeon). But what about all of this molecular and microorganism stuff going on beneath the hood?

That’s where we at Azena can help.  Taking an integrative approach to Your health and wellness, we focus on Your homeostasis, repairing and restoring Your critical systems such as Your gut health and hormones to help You confidently confront the inevitable aging process, and extend Your health span.

Professor Quarles mentions several other important aspects of aging, of which we at Azena are acutely aware:

“There is no single cause of aging. No two people age the same way. There are countless ways for Your basic biology to go wrong over time, and these add up to create a unique network of aging-related factors for each person that make finding a one-size fits-all anti-aging treatment extremely challenging.”

Aging is a complex process--and inevitable. Spoiler Alert:  When it comes to aging, there is no silver bullet. But You don’t have to go it alone. So don’t wait for system failure. Whether You’re looking for a tune-up or overhaul, we can help design one specifically for You.

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.