What is Aging?
When we talk about aging, we are referring to the aging of humans. The branch of science studying the mechanisms of aging is called 'biological gerontology'. Statisticians believe that aging is an increased chance of dying. Mathematical calculations show that after the age of 30, the probability of dying doubles every seven years. So how can you lower your chances of dying? This all depends on you. By following certain sensible guidelines and making alterations to your lifestyle, it may be possible to avoid early aging and premature death, and that is known as anti-aging.
Another way of seeing aging is an ideal means of getting rid of people who can't have children anymore. This is a way devised by Mother Nature to make room for new generations when the old ones have fulfilled their purpose. Research looking into the physiology of aging shows that after the age of around 35, the signs of aging start sprouting like rampant weeds. We begin losing muscle tissue, the amount of fat in our bodies piles up, our skin gets thinner and drier, and our strength slips away from us constantly year in and year out.
This view of aging is also supported by the fact that after the menopause, the signs of aging become much more obvious. In other words, when a woman is not able to have any more children, Mother Nature withdraws all her protective support.
But then, why do we live as long as we do? Why don't we just die after having children, but instead continue living for another 40, 50 years or more? Scientists think that this is due to a process called 'free-wheeling'. Nature wants to make 100 percent sure that we live to an age to have children and then live for a bit longer to help them grow up, so a lot of effort is put into ensuring we reach the age of 30-35. Then, after this initial push, we just continue a life of freewheeling for another 40-50 years, slowing down gradually until we come to the point at which we stop, death.
