SEC-S16 / W6 | "The Science of Aging👩"

I could remember this song we used to sing when I was in primary school then - "when you see an old woman, never ever laugh at her, she was a youth just like you and this is how you'll become". The rhythmic sound was interesting, funny and so obviously the truth, which is we can't hide from old age if we were given the opportunity to live longer by our creator.

Sometimes when we walk past people who knew us from birth, they'd be like - oh my God, you've grown old. This is because as we get older in age, we experience multifaceted and complex changes in our physical, mental and emotional health. It can be a time of great growth and personal transformation.

In this introduction to aging, we shall begin our discussion on this topic - "The Science Of Aging".

Aging is a natural process that everyone must undergo in life. The process of aging is very complex, and there is no specific answer to when it begins. However, the medical process of aging, typically begins around the age range of 25 to 30, when our bodies start to slow down their production of new cells and tissues. This process (aging) is medically known as the process of cellular senescence.

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As we age, our cells becomes less active, effective at dividing and reproducing. This means that our body is not able to repair itself effectively, and we start to experience the "said" symptoms of aging. These symptoms can include wrinkles, grey hair, and a visible decrease is muscle mass. Of course, not everyone are the same and which means that everyone ages differently, and some people may experience these symptoms while some may not..

For me, I don't think I am afraid of becoming older, because it is a "must" stage for every human who is alive. When it comes to the concept of aging, I think the biggest challenge anybody may face is the fear of losing our independence. As we age, we may lose our mental capacity, physical abilities and even our social connections. Although some people may have prepared for this stage ahead when they were young and so they may not really have to depend fully on anybody. They can only depend on a third party for care.

There are few nutritional items that can help to prevent or slow down the process of aging, but not definitely stop it. Below are three major nutritional items that can help slow down the process of aging in humans;

• One of them is the "Omega-3 fatty acids". Omega-3s acids are found in foods like walnuts, flaxseed and mostly fishes such as mackerel, sardines, salmon and anchovies. They are called "healthy fats" because they help to improve the quality of the heart and also reduce inflammation.

• Another 'anti-aging' nutritional item is "Vitamin D". Vitamin Ds are essential vitamins for the immune system, bones, teeth, brain health and for regulation of inflammation. The best sources of vitamin D are the flesh of fatty fish and fish liver oils. Other smaller quantities can be found in egg yolks, beef liver and cheese. This nutrient can help to reduce the risk of some chronic diseases, including diabetes and cancer.

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• And finally, are antioxidants such as vitamin C and E. Vitamin C and E can help to protect the cells from damage caused by free radicals which are known as harmful molecules that are produced within your cells and which may cause damage of tissue of diseases. Radicals are responsible for premature aging and vitamin C and E helps to override them. Fruits and vegetables are highly rich in vitamin C and E.

Very true, there are some exercises that can help one look and feel young even in old age. Here are three great options of exercises one can take part in.

• The first is walking. Walking is a great option, for staying young at any age. Walking is low impact and as well easy to do. Reports have shown that brisk walking has the potential to biologically slow aging, reduce your age by 16 when you reach midlife. Most importantly, walking decreases the risk of health condition such as cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

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• Yoga: Yoga is the combination of physical poses with deep breathing and mindfulness, which can be able to reduce stress, increase energy levels and improve sleep quality. Yoga is mainly observed to prevent age-related muscle loss and sarcopenia(which is the loss of skeletal muscle as a result of aging).

• Tai Chi: The Tai Chi exercise is also a slow and gentle one. This form of exercise mainly focuses on breathing, relaxation and stretching. It's been shown to improve flexibility, balance and coordination. From research, Tai Chi is more beneficial to older practitioners with evidence supporting various physiological and psychological impacts.

To sum it all up, aging is not just about how old you've lived or the number of years been alive. There are many different aspects of aging which varies from our mental, emotional and physical health. The aging process is different for everyone, and there's no one time solution to stop aging, but few tips to apply to slow down aging.

Such tips include some basic exercises like Yoga, walking and Tai Chi. Other tips include nutrients such as vitamin C and E, vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids.

It's important to focus of what makes you feel your best and try all it takes to take care of yourself in a way to sustain oneself for the long run..