The Mystery of Aging: Genes, Environment, and Longevity

This essay delves into the multifaceted mystery of aging, examining the intricate interplay of genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices on human health and longevity. The author discusses how aging is a gradual biological process influenced by geographical location, financial status, and unique genetic makeup. The essay highlights the impact of technological advancements, like anti-aging products, and emphasizes the role of lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise. It explores the physiological changes associated with aging, including the decline in cognitive functions, sensory losses, and physical changes. The essay also touches on the importance of social and psychological factors such as retirement and loss of loved ones, and how these contribute to the aging process, while also highlighting the potential for extended life to offer new opportunities for personal growth and societal contributions. The essay also references several research papers and studies to support the arguments and information presented.

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The Mystery of Aging:
How genes and environment affect health and longevity.
Human beings leave their own life in different ways’ depending on several factors, geographical
location, financial status, and genes as well. Aging is a gradual process whereby it begins in early adulthood,
the many-body function begins to decline as a result of aging. People who tend to leave on extreme sides of
the world where temperatures are below or high tend to age faster. Several studies have been conducted and
it reveals that most of the people go through hardships in such places thus making their life span on earth
relatively reduced as to the normal biological warranty.
Technological advancement has been a key thing that has greatly catalyzed the rate at which human
beings age. The introduction of anti-aging lotions and crème has been on the rise worldwide and there has
been reciprocated within the various market as one of the fast-moving commodities. Different human
beings have unique genes hence the application of crème or lotion have adverse effects; to some it has
worked perfectly while the majority have developed various complication leading to mysterious aging.
According to the World Health Organization, aging is a course of the biological reality that starts at
conception and ends at death (Shilpa Amarya, Kalyani Singh and Manisha Sabharwal). With the emerging
trends, worldwide women used to have their first child at around the age of 24years but things have changed
to 33years and according to biological research these are women who their biological metabolism is slightly
slower than others. Lifestyle is a key factor as it detects individuals’ diet and ways in which one is being
taken care of as an elder (Agee, J., and W. Evans. 1941. Let Us Now Praise Famous Men. Boston:

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Houghton-Mifflin.). Developed countries one is considered old at the age of 65 years, while the
undeveloped country they are considered as from the age of 55 years.
The process of aging naturally begins with the changes in the nervous system. Individuals tend to
lose memory and some cognitive sense. Daily activities tend to reduce alongside behavior patterns, it is at
this stage that we often refer to the elderly as grown-up children. The shrinking of nerve cells is common
and the rate differs with individual genes.
Loose of special sense is among the process of aging, hearing becomes a problem and these bring
about the problem in pronunciation of certain words (de Grey, A. 2005. "Resistance to Debate on How to
Postpone Ageing is Delaying Progress and Costing Lives). The vision being the major factor that spells out
the aging process, individuals have numerous changes in reading, walking, balancing and driving. Loose of
test, especially salt is completely lost while that of sugar or anything sweet is unchanged as well as the
ability to smell and touch is lost.
Aging process is characterized by a decrease of weight and muscles. There is a result of reduced
physical activities, this disorder results in the high incidence of falls and fractures by elderly people. The
human body is composed of fat, bones, and muscles and for this case at the age of 40years, our body lean
tissues start to reduce resulting to decrease functions within our bodies.
Physical exercise is the cure to aging and we are encouraged to do more exercise to burn down
calories and fats within our bodies. With an increase in standards of living, obesity is a posing threat as
people eating habits have changed from the past. People at a tender age end up with this disease hence they
tend to age faster compared to those who are not affected by it.
Just like genetics, the environment plays a major role in obesity and the aging process. Developing
countries have fewer cases of obesity and this has helped in reducing the number of aged individuals within
society. Peoples lifestyle contributes to aging a study that has been conducted in developed and developing

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countries. Today in developing countries many youths have physically aged as a result of alcohol
consumption, many of them take a meal or even go without a meal in a day and this has led to reduced body
mass index as well as physical appearance.
Prolonged life brings about opportunities not only to their family but the society as well
(Gerontology, Grazia D’Onofrio, Antonio Greco and Daniele Sancarlo). Additional in life makes individuals
pursue new activities such as education and sporting activities and they become a source of information
within the society and offer great counseling and guidance among the young within the society. Aging is
also of great importance to though most of the aged people are neglected and are faced with stigma.
Other than biological factors, aging is brought about by factors like retirement, relocation, and also
the loss of loved ones. These factors have greatly contributed more so through depression and stress, despite
them being cared for and given basic needs’ elderly people are considered a burden. Other people
experience a mental decline at a tender age and this is not associated with aging while some 80 years old
have mental capacity equivalent to those at 20 years.

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Work Cited
Kalyani Singh and Manisha Subharwal (July 4th 2018). Aging Process and Psychological
changes.
Gibson Mc, Schroder C 2001 Jan-Feb. The Many Face of Pain for Older
J Hosp Palliat Care 2001 Jan-Feb Pain and Aging
SCO Health Service, University of Ottawa Institute of Palliative Care, and C.A.R.M.E.N. Centre,
160 boul. de l'hôpital, suite 103, Gatineau, Québec, Canada.
Friend, T. 2017. "Silicon Valley's Quest to Live Forever." New Yorker, April 3
Gruman, G. J. 2003. A History of Ideas About the Prolongation of Life.
Miller, R. A. 2002. "Extending Life: Scientific Prospects and Political Obstacles.