Aging Research Introduced
Aging research, which is sometimes called life extension, experimental or biomedical gerontology, is the attempt to reverse or slow down the aging process in order to extend average and maximum life spans. Some anti-aging researchers believe that future work with organ replacement, stem cells and molecular repair will allow humans to live indefinitely. Anti-aging research and resultant sales of nutritional supplements, hormone replacements and herbs is a multibillion dollar industry, and the market in the US makes about fifty million dollars every year. Medical experts say that using these so-called "anti-aging" products has not been shown to have an effect on the aging process, and bioethicists question how and why people's life span should be prolonged.
When aging happens, an organism suffers damage to its cells, macromolecules, organs and tissues. The upper limit of the human life span is more than 120 years, and the maximum life span of a mouse (the most common model used in anti-aging research) is about 4 years. The genetic differences between mice and humans may account for the different rates of aging; these differences are qualities and types of antioxidants, DNA repair, and free radical production.
The closely related field of biogerontology is focused on the genetics, biology and physiology of aging. This scientific discipline is fairly new, and it investigates the way aging affects our cells, organs and bodies in order to figure out how to minimize its effects. The earliest stages of anti-aging research are concerned with stem cells, antioxidants, immunology, diet and free radicals, and the aim of anti-aging research is to understand why aging takes place, so that life's quality and length can be improved.
The drastic effects that aging has on the strength, healing, and bone density of our bodies is readily apparent. Science knows little about the way these changes are triggered, and anti-aging research aims to help people combat these naturally-occurring changes. As of now, researchers have barely scratched the surface, and it might be years before their work can be translated into medical treatments.