How to slow down aging naturally - everyone can do it. Premature aging begins due to “disorder” in DNA How to slow down the aging process of the human body

07.01.2020

Before changing your skin care routine, it is best to consult a specialist. Uncontrolled use of some drugs can lead to serious consequences.

In any case, before starting any anti-aging therapy, be sure to consult a specialist. This will help avoid negative consequences.

1. Premature Aging: Foods to Avoid

One can hardly argue with the statement that Human health depends primarily on nutrition. We are what we eat.

Unfortunately, throughout our lives we acquire different habits, some of which are harmful to health and cause. This aspect is described in detail in the article "Aging and Antioxidants" published in 2012.

For example, excess sweets can contribute to the breakdown of collagen present in the skin. Alcoholic drinks have a direct effect on the liver, preventing it from properly eliminating toxins. All this accelerates premature aging.

Additionally, there are other foods that contain sulfites and can also speed up aging. This category includes, for example, sausage, minced meat, fast food.

Moreover, it is urgent it is recommended to reduce salt intake. For example, it is found in large quantities in French fries or salted nuts. Salt is an additive that should be consumed in moderation; if in excess, it can be dangerous to the body.

2. Stress and anxiety

Problems that affect psychological health, if not treated properly, can have negative consequences. A situation of severe stress that is not properly treated can be prolonged for months or years. If this is the case, the problem may be reflected in very serious changes in our body,

It has been proven that the bad emotions we experience not only have a negative impact on health, causing various psychosomatic diseases. They also cause premature aging.

Prolonged stress, stretching over several months or years, causes serious changes in the body. Why is this happening? The answer to this question can be found in the article “Stress and illness. Psychoneuroimmunoendocrine approach”, published in 2010.

Due to an excess of cortisol, the stress hormone, the heart rate accelerates. This has a negative impact on the health of the nervous system and increases the risk of developing atherosclerosis.

In addition to cortisol, during nervous tension the body produces epinephrine, better known as adrenaline. It stimulates oxidative processes in body cells, interferes with the synthesis of nutrients, and causes the appearance of fatty deposits on the walls of blood vessels.

Due to stress, the immune system also suffers. Be more attentive to your emotions and learn to manage them correctly.

3. Antioxidant deficiency

You may be missing antioxidant-rich foods in your diet. Often we don't give it due importance. But in vain, after all Deficiency of antioxidants makes the body more vulnerable to free radicals that harm cells.

To help yourself, Be sure to include the following foods in your diet:

• Water with lemon juice on an empty stomach, kiwi, strawberries;
• Melon;
• Oranges;
• Brussels sprouts, carrots;
• Spinach, kale, tomatoes, papaya;
• Pumpkin, 1 cup of green or white tea every day;
• Fatty fish twice a week.

4. The sun is one of the main enemies of your youth

Of course, the sun is very important for health. Thanks to sunlight, in our body Vitamin D is synthesized. On a sunny day we wake up in a good mood, we are filled with energy.

But you still need to be careful with the sun. Try not to spend too much time on the beach, avoid the dangerous midday sun and Always wear a good sunscreen.

For most women It is the sun's rays that are the main factor provoking premature aging. As shown in the article "Solar Cosmetics: Premature Aging and Sun Protection," published in the journal Science and Virtual Health, the use of sunscreens is key in the fight against aging skin. Be careful!

5. The female body and calcium

How to slow down aging? Why do some manage to look 40 at 20, while others at 60 look 20 years younger? Some biological processes occurring in the body accelerate the aging process. It is possible to slow down aging naturally.

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The US National Institute of Aging (NIA) has summarized the results of research in recent years. Here is a brief overview of this article. Scientists have developed several strategies to slow down aging; it is up to each human individual whether to apply the advice or not.

How to slow down aging - eight behavioral strategies

Two complex processes that accelerate aging are excessive cellular oxidation. Accelerated aging is associated with excessive sugar consumption, constant stress and environmental pollution. Research conducted by the US National Institute on Aging is helping to develop principles that can be followed to slow down aging naturally.

It has been scientifically proven that they slow down the aging process at the genetic level. Other natural methods, such as antioxidant foods, reasonable calorie restriction, natural hormonal supplements, are a different approach.

Approximately 20% of the rate of biological aging is determined by the genetic code. The remaining 80% depends on the environmental situation and lifestyle. By controlling the last two factors and taking a few simple but effective measures, it is possible to slow down the rate of biological aging.

How to slow down aging with diet

Want to slow down the aging process? Review your diet, monitor the quantity and quality of food. Certain foods and supplements can help you look and feel younger. These include antioxidants, healthy fats, vitamins and phytonutrients.

The “marine” type of nutrition stops destructive processes in the body. Omega-3 PUFAs help slow or even stop the decline in mental activity associated with aging. If you were not born on the Mediterranean coast, then learn the principles of the diet for centenarians

Antioxidants protect the body from the harmful effects of free radicals. The discovery of antioxidants has raised hopes that people can slow down aging simply by adding them to their diet. The most famous antioxidants:

• Glutathione (produced by the body itself)
• Vitamins C, A, E
• Coenzyme Q10
• Lycopene, quercetin, astaxanthin, lutein
• Melatonin
• Lipoic acid
• Carotenoids, etc.

The body's ability to produce antioxidants decreases with age. The aging process cannot be stopped. Let's grow old gracefully. Antioxidant complexes should also be present in food.

Resveratol or the French paradox

Resveratrol, a natural antioxidant, bioflavonoid found in grapes, blueberries, nuts, cocoa beans. Plants produce resveratol to protect against disease and infection. Extensive experiments have been conducted on mice to identify the beneficial properties of resveratol.

Mice given resveratrol were healthier and lived longer than mice on a regular diet. In subsequent experiments, the researchers found that during aging, resveratrol slowed down age-related changes.

A recent human study found that resveratrol has similar health benefits. However, it is too early to draw definitive conclusions about how resveratrol affects human health and aging.

Today it has been proven that resveratol improves the elasticity of blood vessels, lowers cholesterol levels, and reduces the risk of blood clots. All together, this leads to improved blood circulation and prevents atherosclerosis.

Eat less but better

The quality and quantity of food affects the years of life. The question is how? Of interest is a diet that is lower by a certain percentage in calories, but contains all the nutrients. Experiments show that restricting calories by 30% has a positive effect on markers of aging.

It has been found that reducing nutrition prolongs the life of simple organisms, but complex organisms, including mammals, show conflicting results. You can check this type of limitation for yourself. Researchers have not yet come to final conclusions.

Limiting calorie intake by 20-30% for overweight people will help reduce insulin levels and regulate blood pressure. The risk of leading causes of death such as heart disease and diabetes is reduced.

The older you get, the more important strength training is.

Muscle mass reaches its peak around age 20 and then begins to decline gradually. Loss of muscle mass associated with age leads to decreased endurance, strength, elasticity, bone strength and decreased mental abilities. In turn, muscle tissue begins to be replaced by fat and an inevitable increase in body weight occurs.

Strength training and resistance exercises are one of the most powerful anti-aging strategies. Muscle loss is only 1-3% per year. However, after 20 years, body composition can change significantly if nothing is done. The process of muscle loss is called sarcopenia.

Research in this area has shown that exercise programs can reverse age-related muscle loss. Consistent exercise leads to increased muscle mass even in people aged about 70 years and above.

The most effective exercises are those that engage all muscle groups. These are squats, lunges, push-ups, pull-ups, bench press. There is no age to say that I am too old to start training. This is a “fountain of youth” accessible to everyone.

Aerobic exercise

Aerobic exercise is an accessible form of physical activity. Oxygen is used as the main form of energy for muscle function. Walking, running, swimming, dancing, cycling, treadmill, exercise bikes are examples of aerobic exercise.

Aerobic exercise supports the cardiovascular system, strengthens bone tissue, helps normalize blood pressure, and helps reduce stress. In general, aerobic exercise improves endurance. A competent combination of aerobic and anaerobic (strength) exercises forms a beautiful, strong body.

One of the leading theories in the field of aging is the theory of mitochondrial breakdown. It is believed that we age, in part, because the mitochondria in our cells do not produce energy efficiently as they did in our youth. Aerobic exercise stimulates mitochondria. Endurance training increases mitochondrial function.

Hormones, you can’t live without them

Without hormones we cannot survive. During childhood, hormones help you grow. Adolescence leads to puberty. Levels of certain hormones naturally decline over time, such as testosterone in men and estrogen in women.

Hormones are involved in regulating metabolism, immune function, sexual reproduction, and growth. Glands such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries and testes release hormones necessary to stimulate, regulate and control the functions of tissues and organs. Most hormones are usually found in low concentrations in the bloodstream. NIA research focuses on hormones that naturally decline with age, including:

• Human growth hormone
• Testosterone
• Estrogen and progesterone (as part of menopause hormone therapy)
• Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)

Some time ago, it was believed that hormone treatment was the “fountain of youth” to feel young and prevent aging. The NIA says that to date, no studies have shown that hormone therapy increases life expectancy. Patients diagnosed with hormonal deficiency should take hormones only with a prescription and under the supervision of a physician.

Buy a good mattress and have sex

Lack of sleep reduces thinking ability and testosterone levels in men. Poor quality sleep accelerates signs of aging and weakens the skin's ability to repair itself at night. A person needs 6 to 8 hours of quality sleep. Deep, restful, uninterrupted sleep allows you to feel rested and rejuvenated.

“The key ingredients to looking younger are staying active... and maintaining a good sex life.” -Dr. Weeks

The study found that regular sex with a good partner, up to three times a week, reduces biological age by 4-7 years. Experimenters aren't entirely sure how or why regular sex has powerful anti-aging effects.

Perhaps sex increases intimacy with your partner and feelings of connection. It may be that sex releases certain hormones that are known to decrease as we age. Maybe vigorous sex is a type of physical activity?

Being biologically young isn't easy, but it's worth it. The benefits of being young are too great to ignore. By following these principles, even in old age you will be smart, strong, energetic and remain biologically younger than your peers.

Changing views on aging

Illness and disability were once considered an integral part of aging, but today this is no longer the case. Aging is an inevitable process, but older people can be healthy and active well into their years. Following simple (at first glance) rules will help slow down aging:

• Healthy diet
• Antioxidants, vitamins and phytonutrients
• Resveratol
• Reasonable calorie restriction (mainly due to sugar and fast carbohydrates)
• Strength and aerobic training
• Hormonal support
• Quality sleep
• Happy love

For inspiration and a start to a new life, an excerpt from their film Highlander and the famous song Who Wants to Live Forever performed by Queen.

While aging is viewed as a natural process, the NCBI report indicates that it can be the result of a large number of causes.
These factors do play a role in determining whether we will age slowly or look older than our biological age. We constantly look at ourselves in the mirror and suddenly see some age spot or wrinkles on the skin that were not there before. So what causes our skin to age?

1. Sun exposure
This is one of the main factors causing premature skin aging. It is actually responsible for age spots, reduces skin elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles on our skin. Depending on the amount of time our skin is exposed to the sun can determine whether our skin will age faster than expected.
Radiations from the sun are responsible for the breakdown of collagen fibers in the skin through oxidation, which makes the skin less elastic - a phenomenon called solar elastosis. This process also plays a role in damaging the genetic material of skin cells, causing cells to separate unusually. This in turn causes malignant and pre-malignant skin lesions, making the skin rough and wrinkled.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight further damages the sebaceous glands, causing skin sensitivity, commonly referred to as sunburn.

2. Smoking
Smoking is a hobby for many people, they should understand that it causes the skin to age faster than usual. This lifestyle causes fine lines and wrinkles to appear in areas where the skin is very thin, especially around the sides of the eyes and upper lip. Typically, for non-smokers, fine lines and wrinkles will appear several years later.
Premature wrinkles that appear on the skin of smokers are due to lower levels of vitamin C in the blood compared to the levels found in the blood of non-smokers.
Vitamin C is an important component used to produce collagen fibers, which are vital for skin elasticity. Therefore, the lack of vitamins affects the production of these fibers, which makes the skin look older than its actual age. In this case, to ensure youthful and healthy skin, it is important to quit smoking as soon as you can.
3. Diet high in simple carbohydrates and low in protein
A diet rich in simple carbohydrates and sweets is responsible for the loss of skin elasticity as it becomes tougher. To counter this, it is recommended to take diets rich in proteins, which play a vital role in the production of protein structures and ensure a youthful and healthy appearance to the skin.
4. Diet low in fresh fruits and vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are major sources of antioxidants. Although we are prone to accelerated oxidation due to sun exposure, chronic diseases and air pollution, it is essential that fruits and vegetables are included in our daily diets to counteract the oxidative damage caused by various factors. Lycopene, beta-carotene and lutein are among the main antioxidants that are found in fruits and vegetables, ensuring that our skin remains healthy.
On the other hand, fruits and vegetables are good sources of vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production.

5. Genetics
Naturally, the body is able to produce enzymes that act as antioxidants in repairing possible damage to our DNA - the genetic code present in the body's cells. Antioxidant enzymes therefore play a critical role in effectively repairing damaged body cells as a result of normal aging.
However, the ability to repair damaged body cells with antioxidant enzymes and the amount of such antioxidants produced by the body depends on the genes passed on from parents. Thus, the extent of skin damage with aging may depend on hereditary factors from parents to children.
6. Stress
Prolonged stress actually speeds up the production of cortisol, the stress hormone, and adrenaline. Stress hormone is known to accelerate the aging process by inhibiting normal connective tissue synthesis and accelerating osteoporotic processes that cause damage to bone density and changes in bone structure. This eventually causes sagging skin on the cheek, a sign of aging.

7.Insomnia
Poor sleep is also responsible for faster aging. During the deep sleep stage, growth hormone is released by the pituitary gland in the brain. Growth hormone, in turn, is responsible for the preservation of various body tissues, as well as participation in their repair and renewal. This includes skin tissue.
Poor sleep and prolonged lack of sleep, over time, is reflected on the face as a sign of aging faster than usual.
8. Alcohol
Currently, alcohol has become the most common drug. Excessive alcohol consumption causes significant damage to the texture and color of the skin. It also affects the eye sockets, causing severely bulging eyes. In addition, alcohol consumption can cause redness on the cheeks and nasal bridge, as well as the appearance of capillaries. These are obvious signs of aging.
9. Body weight
When a person is too thin or too fat, accelerated signs of aging are real. In underweight scenarios, the amount of natural fats in the facial structure is reduced, which leads to skin spasms and wrinkles.
On the other hand, cases of excess weight lead to various chronic diseases that arise as a result of inactivity as we age.
If you are underweight, you just need to add a few kg. to weight to make the face look softer and wrinkle-free. For overweight patients, targeted exercises can help shape the entire body and avoid any signs of premature aging.

Every person makes choices every day, and the choices they make can hinder or accelerate the aging process. For example, making the choice to do regular exercise can greatly help prevent premature aging and keep your entire body in good shape. On the other hand, using harsh chemicals and cosmetics will cause you to age faster.
It's important to be careful about what you put into your body to keep your skin young and healthy.
Always try to drink enough water to keep all organs of the body functioning properly. Water is essential for regulating body temperature, digestion, flushing out toxins, and transporting nutrients to various cells in the body.
Conclusion
Taking the right steps to improve your overall health is beneficial to promote natural youthful skin. Don't worry about what causes aging, just focus on improving your health. Changing your lifestyle will help protect your skin from various factors that can cause your skin to start aging right before your eyes.

Visiting an esthetician is also a good option to help restore smooth, youthful skin. There are new, less invasive treatments and procedures that can be recommended to help you smooth out wrinkles, tighten your skin, and improve your complexion.

Progeria is a premature aging syndrome manifested by characteristic changes in the skin and internal organs. This is a rare genetic abnormality detected 1 person in 4 million. There are no more than eighty observed cases of this disease in the world. The etiopathogenetic factors of progeria have not been fully studied.

There are two morphological forms of pathology:

• Childhood progeria – Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome,
• Adult progeria - Werner's syndrome.

The term “progeria” translated from ancient Greek means “early aging.” The unnatural depletion of all life support systems is due to a genetic failure. At the same time, the aging process accelerates tenfold.

For Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome Children with delayed physical development show signs of aging: baldness, wrinkles, a specific appearance. Their body changes greatly: the structure of the skin is disrupted, secondary sexual characteristics are absent, and internal organs lag behind in development. Then age-related ailments quickly develop: hearing loss, arthrosis-arthritis, atherosclerosis, stroke or heart attack, bone demineralization. An eight-year-old child with this disease looks and feels 80 years old. In mental development, sick children remain absolutely adequate. Their intellectual development does not suffer. They rarely live past 13 years of age. Boys suffer from progeria somewhat more often than girls.

example of the development of a child with childhood progeria (Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome) from 1 year to 12 years

Werner syndrome usually begins to manifest clinically in young people aged 16-20 years. Progeria in adults is accelerated aging with damage to all systems and a high risk of developing cancer of various localizations. The genomic instability that drives the normal aging process leads to a variety of pathological changes. Such patients die by the age of 30-40, having all the symptoms of extreme old age.

a patient with adult progeria (Werner syndrome) - before the onset of the disease at 15 years old and with a developed form at 48 years old

Progeria is an incurable disease that “takes away” childhood from sick children and “turns” them into real old people. Regular and adequate medical care can slow down the irreversible aging process and reduce the severity of clinical symptoms. For this purpose, medications, nutritional supplements, surgical and physiotherapeutic techniques are used.

Etiology

The main cause of progeria is a single genetic mutation, the mechanism of which is currently unknown. Some scientists believe that the true cause of the mutation lies in the heredity of the parents, others - in the impact of radiation on the embryo during X-rays of a pregnant woman.

In Werner syndrome, the process of reproduction of DNA molecules is disrupted, and in Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, the biosynthesis of the protein that determines the shape of cell nuclei is disrupted. Genetic disorders make cells unstable, which leads to the launch of unexpected mechanisms of aging. A large amount of protein accumulates in cells that stop dividing. In this case, the shell of the nucleus becomes unstable, and the cells of the body become unusable and die prematurely. The mutation results in the production of a truncated progerin protein, which is unstable and rapidly degrades within the cell. Unlike the whole protein, it does not integrate into the nuclear lamina, which is located under the nuclear membrane and is involved in chromatin organization. The nuclear substrate is destroyed, resulting in serious problems. Progerin accumulates in the smooth muscle cells of the vascular wall. Degeneration of these cells is one of the leading manifestations of the disease.

Progeria in adults is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. In children, the mutation is not inherited, but occurs directly in the patient’s body. This is not surprising, since carriers die before reproductive age.

Non-genetic factors influencing the development of the disease:

1. Lifestyle,
2. accompanying illnesses,
3. climate,
4. nutrition,
5. state of the environment,
6. excess sun exposure,
7. smoking,
8. hypovitaminosis,
9. psycho-emotional factors.

Symptoms

In children (Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome)

At birth, a sick child appears to be a normal baby. Clinical signs of progeria appear already in the first year of life. Some children develop correctly up to 2-3 years of age, and then begin to lag behind their peers in terms of height and weight. Children with progeria have a specific appearance, since the signs of the disease are characteristic and unique. All patients are strikingly similar to each other.

typical children with Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome from different families)

A 4-year-old boy with a less typical form of Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome

• Sick children have a disproportionate skull with a large brain part and a small facial part. Their nose resembles the beak of a bird: it is thin and pointed. The lower jaw is poorly developed, the chin is small, the lips are thin, the ears are protruding, and the eyes are unnaturally large. The teeth grow in two rows, they are deflated and begin to fall out early. It is this set of specific features that makes sick children look like old people.
• Skeletal abnormalities are the main symptom of the pathology. Sick children are characterized by short stature, underdeveloped collarbones and hips. The bones of patients are very fragile, they often break, and joint mobility is limited. Hip dislocations are common. The manifestation of the disease is dwarfism. Skeletal and nail defects are observed. The nails are yellow and convex, resembling “watch glasses.” Sick children begin to sit and walk late, their posture changes. Some are unable to walk without assistance.
• The skin and subcutaneous fat become thin. Early aging in patients manifests itself in different ways: the skin becomes covered with wrinkles, its turgor decreases, the eyelids swell, and the corners of the mouth droop. Dry and wrinkled skin is especially noticeable on the face and limbs. The hair on the head falls out, becomes sparse and vellus, and there are no eyelashes or eyebrows. A venous network is visible through the thinned skin on the head. Due to the lack of subcutaneous fat, the child looks like a skeleton covered with skin. Dry and wrinkled skin atrophies in places, large areas of hyperpigmentation, thickening and keratinization appear on it.
• Other symptoms: infantilism, shrill voice, muscle wasting, short arms, narrow and protruding chest.

In adults (Werner syndrome)

The first clinical signs of Werner syndrome appear by the age of 14-18 years. Until puberty, patients develop normally. Then they begin to lag behind their peers in physical development, go bald, and turn gray. Their skin becomes thinner, wrinkles and becomes unhealthy pale. The arms and legs look very thin due to atrophy of subcutaneous fat and muscles.

37-year-old man with Werner syndrome

After 30 years, the following pathological processes develop in the body of patients:

1. cataracts in both eyes,
2. hoarseness of voice,
3. calluses on the feet,
4. ulcerative-necrotic processes in the skin,
5. dysfunction of the sweat and sebaceous glands,
6. heart dysfunction,
7. osteoporosis, metastatic soft tissue calcification, osteomyelitis,
8. erosive osteoarthritis,
9. “scleroderma mask” on the face,
10. short stature, dense and short body, thin and dry limbs,
11. decreased intelligence,
12. nail deformation,
13. the appearance of large pigment spots on the skin,
14. hump on the back
15. exophthalmos due to thyroid dysfunction,
16. moon-shaped face due to pituitary dysfunction,
17. testicular atrophy in men, menstrual irregularities in women, early menopause.

The skin epidermis is flattened, connective tissue fibers are sclerosed, subcutaneous tissue atrophies and is partially replaced by connective tissue. Limitation of passive movements in the joints of the arms and legs is manifested by the inability to fully flex and extend the limb. This is due to cicatricial tightening of the tendons and pain.

By the age of 40, patients develop senile ailments: heart problems, diabetes mellitus, frequent fractures of arms and legs, joint pain, benign and malignant skin tumors, dysfunction of the parathyroid glands. Cancer, heart attack and stroke, internal hemorrhages are the main causes of death in progeria.

Symptoms of pathology only resemble the process of normal aging. Signs of aging in progeria vary in severity or appear in a different order. With natural aging, nail growth slows down, and with progeria, it stops completely. In older people, eyebrows become thinner after hair loss on the head, and in patients with progeria, the opposite is true.

Diagnostics

Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome

Werner's syndrome

Diagnosis of progeria does not require specific techniques and studies. The external signs of the disease are so eloquent that the diagnosis is made based only on symptoms and visual examination data. Specialists study personal and family history.

Additional studies are indicated to identify concomitant diseases. Patients are prescribed a general blood test, biochemical examination, x-ray of the osteoarticular apparatus, histological examination of the skin, and medical genetic counseling.

Treatment

Currently, there is no panacea for progeria. All treatments that have ever been used have proven ineffective. Doctors, using modern methods, are trying to stop the disease and prevent it from getting worse. Patients are jointly treated by specialists in the field of endocrinology, therapy, and cardiology.

To alleviate the condition of patients, doctors prescribe:

• "Aspirin" for the prevention of acute cardiac and vascular failure - heart attack and stroke.
• Statins for lowering blood cholesterol levels and preventing atherosclerosis - “Lipostat”, “Choletar”, “Liptonorm”.
• Anticoagulants to prevent or slow down the process of thrombosis - “Warfarex”, “Sincumarin”.
• Preparations containing growth hormone - “Getropin”, “Neotropin”, “Dinatrope”. They allow you to correct delays in physical development.
• Preparations that heal wounds and stimulate blood circulation during the formation of ulcers - “Mefanat”, “Bepanten”.
• Hypoglycemic drugs for diabetes mellitus - “Diabeton”, “Maninil”, “Gliformin”.

Physiotherapeutic procedures are carried out to influence stiff and stiff joints. Patients are prescribed electrophoresis, reflexology, exercise therapy, infrared rays, water procedures, mud therapy, UHF therapy, and magnetic therapy. Patients with progeria are advised to eat proper nutrition, enriched with vitamins and microelements, moderate physical activity, long walks in the fresh air, and proper rest.

Infants are fed through a tube with special milk formulas containing additives for weight gain. Milk teeth are removed to make room for permanent teeth, which erupt quickly in sick children. Specialists monitor the state of the cardiovascular system, which allows early detection of emerging ailments. Surgical treatment is also indicated for patients with early aging syndrome. With the help of angioplasty or coronary artery bypass grafting, the patency of blood vessels is restored.

Progeria is an incurable pathology whose development cannot be stopped. Experimental treatment of adults using stem cells and farnesyltransferase inhibitors makes it possible to restore subcutaneous fat, overall weight, and reduce bone fragility. The prognosis of the disease is always unfavorable. Patients die from acute coronary insufficiency or cancer. Prevention of progeria is impossible due to the fact that the disease is genetic. Lifelong therapy can only make it easier and prolong the life of patients. Continuing care, cardiac care and physical therapy are the main directions in the treatment of the disease.

Video: examples of people with premature aging syndrome

Video: TV show about people with progeria

Content

The process of premature modification of cells due to exposure to pathological, genetic or external factors is called premature aging disease. The pathology is poorly understood, and the exact causes of the development of this condition have not been identified. There are a number of external and internal factors that provoke the disease. According to statistics, rapid aging syndrome is extremely rare (there is 1 sick person per 4 million people).

What Causes Early Aging

Premature aging syndrome is a condition when age-related physiological changes occur in a person much earlier than expected. Aging is a natural process, characterized by a gradual decrease in entropy (life processes) of all body systems. In addition, changes occur in various cell qualities: the protein synthesis mechanism is disrupted and errors gradually accumulate when copying DNA.

Among the first signs of premature aging are changes in the skin (deep wrinkles appear, the skin becomes thinner, and begins to sag) due to disruption of the synthesis of elastane and collagen. Changes in the functioning of the brain are noted: due to the fact that functional cells (neurons) are destroyed, a person’s cognitive abilities (for example, memory) significantly deteriorate. In addition, Werner syndrome is characterized by the following disorders of the body systems:

• Cardiovascular: destruction of blood vessels occurs, the volume of cardiac output decreases, the heart muscle thickens, loses elasticity and ability to regenerate, and atherosclerosis develops.
• Immune: antibody production decreases.
• Musculoskeletal system: rapid muscle atrophy, development of osteoporosis, arthritis.
• Sense organs: presbyopia develops (age-related decrease in visual acuity), hearing loss, cataracts, and complete hearing loss.
• Reproductive system: women experience early menopause, men suffer from erectile dysfunction, and the likelihood of developing malignant tumors increases.

Causes

Many factors of a pathological or physiological nature can accelerate the aging process. Among the reasons not related to diseases are the following:

• genetic predisposition;
• environmental factors;
• Lifestyle;
• climate.

Premature aging can be triggered by the early manifestation of systemic diseases. In this case, the syndrome usually manifests itself in early childhood, adolescence or young adulthood. Among the pathological causes leading to early aging are:

• Alzheimer's disease;
• diabetes;
• osteoporosis, osteoarthritis;
• Parkinson's disease;
• cardiovascular pathologies;
• hypothyroidism;
• Down syndrome;
• trichothiodystrophy;
• dermopathy.

What is premature aging disease

The pathological process, which is provoked by premature aging and is characterized by changes in the condition of the skin, disruption of the functioning of organs and systems, is called progeria. Mental development is assessed as satisfactory. There are two types of the disease: childhood (Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome) and adult (Werner syndrome). Presumably, the pathology in adults has an autosomal recessive type of inheritance, and in children it occurs spontaneously.

Causes

It is known that rapid aging disease is a pathology of genetic origin and occurs due to mutation of the LMNA gene, which encodes the synthesis of lamins - proteins that are part of the cell nucleus shell. Genetic disorders provoke instability of cellular structures, which leads to the rapid launch of aging mechanisms. A large number of proteins are deposited (accumulated) in cells, which lose the ability to divide, renew themselves and die prematurely.

In addition, the mutation provokes the production of a truncated, unstable progerin protein, which quickly degrades. It does not penetrate into the core shell plate located under the membrane, as a result of which it collapses. This process is key in the pathogenesis of progeria. The disease occurs in children of the same parents (siblings) or in the offspring of consanguineous marriages. When studying the cells of people suffering from this disease, gross violations of DNA repair in cells and the synthesis of fibroblasts were discovered. The childhood form of progeria is considered congenital.

Symptoms

The clinical picture of premature aging disease manifests itself over time. With Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome, the first symptoms of the pathology appear at 2-3 years of life, and with Werner syndrome, as a rule, within six months after puberty. The disease affects the entire body at once, disrupting the functioning of almost all vital organs.

In childhood

Progeria occurring in childhood is characterized by a sharp slowdown in the child’s growth, atrophy of the dermis, subcutaneous tissue, and loss of skin elasticity. The epidermis becomes thinner, becomes dry and wrinkled, scleroderma-like lesions and hyperpigmentation are noted on the body. Large and small veins are visible through the pale and thinned skin. In addition, the following signs of Hutchinson-Gilford syndrome are noted:

• skeletal muscle atrophy;
• fragility of teeth;
• brittleness of hair and nails;
• pathological changes in the musculoskeletal system, myocardium;
• underdevelopment of the genital organs;
• disorders of fat metabolism;
• cataract;
• atherosclerosis.

Due to the fact that the disease affects all cells of the body and changes their qualitative structure, all human tissues and organs change greatly. People who suffer from progeria have some specific appearance features:

• a large head with prominent large frontal tubercles that protrude above the small “bird-like” face;
• the lower jaw is greatly underdeveloped;
• beak-shaped nose;
• there are no secondary sexual characteristics;
• height about 90-130 cm;
• limbs thin, short.

In adults

The first clinical symptoms of the disease in adults appear by the age of 14-18 years. Before puberty, no signs of premature aging disease are observed. Patients begin to lag behind in physical development, turn gray and go bald. The skin quickly becomes thinner, becomes pale and has pigment spots. The limbs look very thin due to atrophic changes in the subcutaneous tissue and muscles. By the age of 30, patients develop the following signs of the disease:

• cataract;
• trophic ulcers;
• dysfunction of the sweat and sebaceous glands;
• arthritis;
• exophthalmos;
• moon-shaped face;
• sexual dysfunction.

Treatment

There is no specific therapy for the syndrome and disease of premature aging. Treatment is aimed at maintaining the patient’s condition and maintaining metabolic processes. Complex therapy for progeria includes: