Why We Age

Introduction

We are all interested in aging-- why we age, some faster than others. Gerontology or the study of aging has helped us understand better why we age. Theories of aging may be grouped into two. One group  states that aging is natural and our body is programmed to age. The other group claims that aging is a result of damage to the body gradually accumulated over time. The bottom line is that groups are to some degree correct. In the study of aging, one mus consider the complex interaction of genetics, chemistry, physiology and behavior.

The "programmed" theory claims that aging is caused by certain genes switching on and off over time, that there is a certain biological timeline that our bodies follow. There are hormonal changes that control aging. Additionally, our immune system is programmed to decline over time, leaving people more susceptible to diseases. More later