Longevity: Why do we age?

Longevity: Why do we age? This is a key question in the field of anti-ageing medicine. Longevity is the term that describes the process of extending life and improving the quality of years lived. Understanding why we age is essential for those who seek not only to live longer, but also to enjoy a fuller life at every stage.

Main theories of ageing

Throughout history, various theories have emerged to explain why we age. From free radical damage to telomere shortening, each theory shows us one aspect of ageing. However, we now know that ageing is the result of factors that affect longevity. David Sinclair, one of the world’s leading researchers in longevity, argues that, beyond the inevitable, ageing can be slowed by intervening in these factors.

The 12 key factors of ageing: Why do we age?

Today, scientists recognise 12 factors that explain why we age and affect longevity. These factors, known as hallmarks, are grouped into three categories: Primary, Antagonistic and Integrative. Understanding them is essential to any strategy to extend longevity.

The 12 Hallmarks of Ageing

Categories of ageing: Primary, Antagonists and Integrators

Each category groups together factors that contribute to ageing and ultimately provide an answer to why we age:

Primary: Primary causes of ageing, such as genetic damage and telomere instability, are the starting points.
Antagonists: Body responses that attempt to compensate for damage, such as chronic inflammation, but which, over time, end up accelerating ageing.
Integrators: These represent cumulative changes in the body, such as stem cell depletion, that consolidate loss of function and affect longevity.

Factors of ageing that affect longevity

Genomic instability: DNA damage is one of the main reasons why we age. Factors such as radiation and chemicals increase mutations in DNA, which accelerates ageing.
Telomeric attrition: Telomeres protect chromosomes, but shorten with each cell division, limiting regenerative capacity and affecting longevity.
Epigenetic alterations: Diet, stress and environmental factors alter gene expression. These factors can be modified to improve longevity.
Loss of Proteostasis: With age, protein regulation deteriorates, allowing the accumulation of damaged proteins and accelerating ageing.

Factors antagonistic to ageing

Dysregulation of the Nutrient Sensing System: Over time, the body down-regulates nutrients, affecting energy and promoting insulin resistance.
Mitochondrial dysfunction: Mitochondria produce cellular energy, but their function declines with age. Maintaining their function is key to longevity.
Cellular senescence: Damaged cells should be eliminated, but when this fails, senescent cells accumulate and release inflammatory molecules.
Chronic Inflammation: Chronic inflammation damages tissues and increases the risk of age-related diseases, thus impacting longevity.

Mainstreaming factors in ageing

Gut microbiota imbalance: The gut microbiota is essential for health. A balanced microbiome protects against premature ageing and promotes longevity.
Impaired Intercellular Communication: Communication between cells deteriorates, impacting health and accelerating ageing.
Stem cell depletion: Stem cells regenerate tissues, but their capacity diminishes, affecting vital organs and systems.
Reduction of Macroautophagy: Autophagy eliminates damaged cellular components, but its efficiency decreases with age, favouring cellular deterioration.

David Sinclair

Longevity strategies according to David Sinclair

David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics at Harvard, proposes strategies to intervene in the factors of ageing. Key strategies to promote longevity include:

Increasing NAD+: Supplements such as NMN increase NAD+, which is essential for cell repair.
Calorie restriction and intermittent fasting: Both practices activate longevity genes and improve insulin sensitivity.
Exercise and exposure to controlled physical stress: Exercise, cold therapy and heat therapy strengthen cells and improve resilience.
Optimise gut microbiota: A diet rich in fibre, prebiotics and probiotics improves the microbiome and reduces inflammation.

Lifestyle and longevity

In addition, healthy habits are essential to improve longevity. A balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management and rest are pillars that protect the body and prolong a healthy life.

Mental and emotional well-being

Mental health is also key to longevity. Practising mindfulness, maintaining positive relationships and finding purpose contribute to healthy ageing.

Personalised medicine and longevity: the future of healthcare

Personalised medicine allows longevity strategies to be tailored to the individual. Thus, with advances in genetics and personalised health programmes, it is increasingly possible to slow down ageing.

The future of longevity

Ultimately, as science advances, from gene therapies to artificial intelligence, more and more people will be able to live longer and better lives. Why do we age? This is a question that continues to guide science in the quest for a full and healthy life.

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Longevity: Why do we age?