Are Anti-Aging Therapies?
There has been a lot of talk recently about anti-aging. We must first watch at what exactly is aging and how can we control it? I speak as a Molecular Biologist and Doctor I must say that aging is really an accumulation of damage to molecules, cells, tissue and eventually organs.
The maximum life span known for humans is 122 years, whereas the maximum lifespan of a mouse is about 3 years. There are many reasons this happens, genetic differences between humans and mice, fertility rate, efficiency of DNA repair and the aged “buzzword” different rates of free radical production, etc. Antioxidants, including Vitamins A, B-6, B-12, C and E are believed to counteract free radicals and in some design prevent chronic disease such as heart disease and diabetes. There are many studies that point towards the benefits of beta-carotene, folic acid and selenium. These anti-oxidants are found in a variety of fruits and vegetables. I issue as a scientist, I am cynical about the advantage of these adjuncts in pill accept.
Regarding hormone exhaust, I am going to stand out on a limb and peep at the evidence supporting their fetch. When people talk about hormones, they usually mean taking DHEA, Testosterone, Oestrogen and probably Human Growth Hormone. Hormones are chemicals needed to assist wait on your indispensable organs working properly, which decline naturally as we age. It is easy to search for why people would gain restoring their level to lead to previous levels. Unfortunately, life is never that simple. We all know that HRT can restore a woman’s skin, vaginal secretions, energy etc. but it has its risks in older age groups also. explore at the precursor hormone DHEA, which is converted in the body to oestrogen and testosterone. DHEA has long been touted as an anti-aging therapy, feeble to ward off chronic illness and derive energy and vigour. Proponents say it also slows aging, increases muscle and bone strength, burns gigantic, improves cognition and bolsters immunity. However, an October 2006 ogle published in the recent England Journal of Medicine by Sreekumaran Nair, M.D., an endocrinologist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, found no evidence that taking DHEA reverses the effects of aging.
DHEA is the most abundant naturally occurring hormone circulating in the human body. It is secreted by the adrenal glands and reaches its peak by the early twenties and then declines with age. The decline with age of DHEA levels correlates with many age-related changes, including peaking at games, of muscle mass, of bone density, physical endurance and ability to fight disease. The stare famed sterling effects on any of those factors in men and women in their 60s and 70s. I don’t mind standing out on a limb on some issues but not this one as I don’t really know. I interrogate not as its expend is regulated by the FDA in the United States. This hormone is extensively promoted and stale as an anti-aging nutrient supplement by people hoping it will restore the pleasure of youth or increase longevity. I demand, science does not wait on its expend, although I am definite there are many people who would disagree with me on this one. The increasing find of testosterone is also one to glance. The male menopause, does it really exist? We do know for many years that declining levels of testosterone have been linked with decreased energy and sex drive, decreased muscle mass, decreased mental ability and even osteoporosis. We also know that more and more men are taking testosterone but not enough is known about the long term effects of testosterone therapy for this purpose.
In essence, doctors feel dejected about prescribing this hormone because of the lack of scientific evidence to balance whether the declining levels are unhealthy, especially as there is suspicion towards possible risks, including prostate problems. We do know that about 20% of men age 60 and older have testosterone levels below the normal range (testosterone deficiency) . THe enact a demand to is shouldn’t these men be treated? In a sentence I would agree. If a patient feels decreased energy, reduced strength or cognitive ability, less sexual interest or potency, I would certainly check his testosterone levels as well as his thyroid levels, mood and medication. If his testosterone proved to be spoiled I would treat him. In men with testosterone deficiency, testosterone therapy can restore sexual function and protect against heart disease (atherosclerosis) . Also, some men taking testosterone therapy represent an increase in energy, sex drive and well-being. In do, I would not deprive patient of testosterone if he was aware of the potential benefits and risks of the medication. Though potentially improbable, high doses of testosterone may result in sleep apnea, infertility and it may also pose problems for prostate and breast cancer in men. Probably, patients with a family history of prostate or breast cancer should be cautioned. It can be taken in tablet secure but many doctors say, that testosterone taken by this form may cause an unfavourable cholesterol profile thereby increasing the risk of blood clots and heart and liver problems. Several other types of testosterone therapy exist. Intramuscular testosterone injections (Delatestryl, Depo-Testosterone) are fine and effective. Injections are given approximately every two weeks. A patch containing testosterone (Androderm) is applied each night to your befriend, abdomen, upper arm or thigh. The place of the application is rotated to own seven-day intervals between applications to the same set to lessen skin reactions. In Ireland, your GP can prescribe a testosterone gel (TestoGel) to site on the skin of the lower abdomen, upper arm or shoulder. I mediate it also comes in a chewing gum gather.
Many patients ask me about my attitudes regarding the increasing use of Growth Hormone, I drawl my early tempered memories are prejudiced because of my time working as a young doctor in Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Dublin the stupid eighties when the news surfaced that the cadaver growth hormone they had been using was implicated in multiple cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) . This spurned an interest in limb lengthening procedures in our Orthopaedic Department. The medicine was also frail for children with kidney disease, Turner’s syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome and muscle wasting associated with AIDS and HIV. We knew that growth hormone caused growth in childhood and helped contain tissue throughout our life. We also know the level of growth hormone in our bodies begins to drop during mid life. in our 40s. Studies of adults with growth hormone deficiencies point to that injections of growth hormone can: increase bone density, increase muscle mass, decrease body pudgy, improve mood and motivation and increase exercise capacity. It’s not hard to gawk why people acquire that synthetic growth hormone could encourage healthy older adults who have naturally irascible levels of growth hormone near by some of their youth and vitality. We do not have a lot of clinical data but most studies demonstrate that Growth Hormone injections can increase muscle mass and gash the amount of body full in healthy older adults. It was not exactly determined whether they became stronger or had increased mood. The studies pointed towards a number of side effects, including: swelling in the arms and legs, arthritis-like symptoms, carpal tunnel symptoms, headaches, muscle injure and worse composed unfortunately diabetes, hardening of the arteries and high blood pressure.
Many patients also ask me whether hormones will restore the vitality of youth. I really disapprove to sound like a slay joy, especially as I am continually asked to swear at anti aging conferences and I realise that this fraction of medicine is in its infancy. I am also aware that the recent science of nutrigenomics will become more celebrated. In essence, I would really like to peep a hormonal retort to carry out the process of aging but none of these supplements has sufficient medical evidence to abet up the claims made by anti-aging enthusiasts in conception of the risks they carry. We all know that post menopausal hormone replacement therapy also carries valuable risks, including breast cancer and an increased risk of blood clots leading to heart disease and heart attack. However, unlike the other hormones it has been the subject of extensive research and I have prescribed it obtain any years and valued its serve in treating mental alertness, hot flushes, vaginal dryness and unpleasant skin. The advantageous fifty dollar perceive information from is whether calorie restriction theory really applies to humans. I have that the theory is based on studies in animals, including rats, mice, fish, flies and worms. These studies found that the life span of each species could be extended by reducing the number of calories consumed. Clinical trials in humans tend to indicate that underweight people are more susceptible to disease and death. We would have to effect distinct that calorie-restricted diets were smooth rich in fruits and vegetables so that dieters serene acquire the nutrients they need.
To conclude, I really mediate that aging is a more complex process than presently perceived. It involves many aspects of tissue function, most importantly genetic carry out up and it’s as yet unlikely that a pharmaceutical product can cure many of the ills age can bring. That is not to say, we should not continue to bound the elixir of youth. I suspect things such as heavy obtain in later years may actually increase free oxide radicals and shorten life. Any A&E Officer will describe you about the number of myocardial infarctions brought in from badminton games, tennis games or even golf courses. Others say that’s exquisite what people do in retirement. That is not to say controlled spend is of course pleasant for cardiac disease. Your best bet for a long and healthy life is to have the gracious parents, eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, have a healthy weight, consume a dinky every day, don’t smoke, spend sunscreen and laugh a lot…I deny all the things that I don’t do!
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