Theories of Aging #
Information Theory of Aging #
Over time, small defects in our epigenome build up as proteins constantly fix DNA damage. This leads to cells becoming less differentiated (skin cells act less like skin cells for example), which leads to symptoms of aging.
Experimental Evidence #
Source #
Microbial Burden #
Over time, the presence of toxic microbial-generated chemicals accumulate in our bodies, causing symptoms of aging. The entry point of these chemicals is mostly through our degrading gut lining, but can be found in other places as well (skin/mouth/etc.).
Experimental Evidence #
Source #
Microbial Burden by Michael Lustgarten
SENS #
We don’t know or care what the root cause of aging is, but we do know there are (at least) 7 types of damage that it causes. If we can fix those, probably the negative symptoms of aging will go away.
See https://www.sens.org/our-research/intro-to-sens-research/ for information about the types of damage, and the latest progress towards repairing them.
Experimental Evidence #
Criticisms #
Science fact and the SENS agenda
Response: Like it or not, life-extension research extends beyond biogerontology
Source #
Ending Aging by Aubrey de Grey
Reproductive Window #
I think (based on Charles Brenner’s comments in his debate with Aubrey de Grey) that Michael Rose proposes that evolutionary attention has not been paid to organisms after they reproduce, so aging occurs because all the systems that keep an organism alive after its reproductive window are not evolution-optimized, and are therefore dysfunctional.
Experimental Evidence #
Source #
Categories: Aging, Health And Longevity
Backlinks: Aging Science,