In this series, all twelve Hallmarks are discussed in easy-to-understand English.

Hallmarks of aging are the physical manifestations of aging that can be identified, measured, and tracked. Fortunately, they can also be addressed in ways that slow them down, stop them, and possibly reverse them.

Right now, there are twelve hallmarks, and there might be more. By the way, not all experts agree with these numbers, and the twelve are not mutually exclusive. The complexities of human physiology and the aging process cannot be compartmentalized and put into neat little “boxes of explanation.”

I’m not an aging researcher. I am a provider of information. I do not write for PhDs. I read what they write, simplify it, distill it, and provide it to my subscribers, who are ordinary people seeking a long and healthy life.

The HALLMARKS OF AGING SERIES will be developed over time and updated as needed.

This series will become a permanent part of my newsletter offerings. Part of my focus will be on the Hallmarks of Aging to help you understand the complexities involved in the aging process.

In parallel with this, and to leverage the value of each other, I will also focus on PLANNED LONGEVITY™ to help you implement techniques that take advantage of things you can do now and in the future to live a long and healthy life.

To the extent possible, I will develop both of these informational hubs in a way that they are complementary to each other. As always, keeping things as simple as possible.

HALLMARKS OF AGING series gives you information about aging processes broken down into twelve hallmarks or categories.

PLANNED LONGEVITY™ series is a master toolbox designed to help you implement strategies to slow down, stop, and reverse aging based on techniques available today.

The Twelve Hallmarks of Aging:

Source: Google Bard.

  1. This is the accumulation of DNA damage over time. DNA damage can lead to Genomic instability and mutations, which can, in turn, lead to cancer and other diseases.
  2. Telomere attrition. Telomeres are protective caps at the end of chromosomes. As cells divide, telomeres shorten. When telomeres become too short, cells can no longer divide and die.
  3. Epigenetic alterations. Epigenetic changes are changes to DNA that do not change the underlying DNA sequence. These changes can affect how genes are expressed and can contribute to aging.
  4. Loss of proteostasis. Proteostasis is the maintenance of a healthy balance of proteins in the body. As we age, proteostasis becomes impaired, which can lead to the accumulation of misfolded proteins. These misfolded proteins can damage cells and tissues.
  5. Disabled macroautophagy. Macroautophagy is a process that helps to remove damaged and unnecessary cells and organelles from the body. As we age, macroautophagy becomes impaired, which can lead to the accumulation of these harmful substances.
  6. Deregulated nutrient-sensing. Nutrient-sensing pathways regulate how cells respond to nutrients. As we age, these pathways become deregulated, which can lead to changes in metabolism and aging.
  7. Mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are the cells’ “powerhouses”. They produce energy for the cell. As we age, mitochondria become less efficient and can produce harmful substances.
  8. Cellular senescence. Cellular senescence is the process by which cells stop dividing. This process is thought to be protective against cancer, but it can also contribute to aging.
  9. Stem cell exhaustion. Stem cells are cells that can divide and give rise to other cells. As we age, stem cells become exhausted, which can lead to a decline in tissue repair and regeneration.
  10. Altered intercellular communication. Intercellular communication is the way that cells communicate with each other. As we age, intercellular communication becomes impaired, which can lead to changes in how cells function.
  11. Chronic inflammation. Inflammation is the body’s response to injury or infection. Chronic inflammation is low-level inflammation that persists over time. It is thought to contribute to many age-related diseases.
  12. Metabolic dysregulation. Metabolism is the process by which the body converts food into energy. Metabolic dysregulation is the loss of the ability to regulate metabolism. This can lead to weight gain, insulin resistance, and other health problems.

These 12 hallmarks of aging are not the only factors that contribute to aging. Other factors, such as environmental exposures, lifestyle choices, and inherited genetics, also play a role. However, the 12 hallmarks of aging provide a framework for understanding the biological processes that underlie aging.

Note: There is no official agreement on these hallmarks. Not all experts on aging will be in agreement with this list, and in the future, individual hallmarks might be added or combined into one. The development of these hallmarks and their study is an ongoing and evolving process. To the best of my ability, I will keep you informed.

Next steps:

Each one of these hallmarks will have a category and will be easily accessible from my home page. This will start happening next week, 10/5/23, when this introductory article will be published and sent out to subscribers.

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Note: This article will appear in my HALLMARKS OF AGING SERIES.

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