¿Por que envejecemos y como controlarlo?

The greatest advance in longevity science has been the discovery of the molecular mechanisms that cause aging in the human body. Each of our cells needs to use some genes and inactivate others; this way, cells specialize to help perform the functions of the organ to which they belong. It is the epigenome (a series of chemical changes and proteins) that directs this process, indicating to the cell which genes should be active and which should be ignored.

Epigenomic Damage

From the moment we are born, the epigenome accumulates damage constantly and progressively. This deterioration makes it increasingly difficult for the cell to read the instructions it needs to function normally. This is the biological cause of aging and age-related diseases. If we can prevent the deterioration of the epigenome or revert it to a previous state, we are effectively making ourselves younger.

Genetic Information Loss

If we compare our DNA to a music disc, the DNA would be the metallic layer that contains the sounds, and the epigenome would be the plastic that protects it. When the plastic gets scratched, it makes it difficult to read the music, causing skips in the song. If enough skips accumulate, the song becomes unrecognizable, but if we polish the scratches, the musical information remains intact, and we can access it again.

Sirtuins: The Guardians of Youth

Sirtuins are proteins that protect our cells from aging and diseases. They detect stress signals at the cellular level and activate mechanisms to protect and repair the epigenome.

NAD+: The Fuel

NAD+ is an essential molecule that our cells use for a multitude of processes, including energy production and DNA repair. To function, sirtuins need NAD+ in the same way that an engine needs gasoline. By the age of 50, intracellular NAD+ levels decrease to half of what they were at 20 years old, reducing the protective power of sirtuins.

Chronic Inflammation: The Internal Fire

Inflammation is the body's natural response to combat infections and repair damage. However, constant, low-level inflammation, known as "inflammaging," accelerates epigenetic damage and aging.

Senescent Cells: The Zombie Cells

Senescent cells are cells that have accumulated so much epigenetic damage that they have stopped performing their functions, ceased to divide, and release harmful substances that affect neighboring cells and contribute to their aging.