AGEING an Oversight- supervision or omision?
Why Do We Age? – A Reflection
Evolution has been the driving force behind the incredible diversity of life on our planet. Through the process of natural selection, species have developed mechanisms that promote vitality and survival, ensuring that we thrive long enough to reproduce and raise offspring. However, these mechanisms are not without their limits.
One such mechanism, cellular senescence, plays a crucial role in our aging process. Cellular senescence is a state in which cells stop dividing and enter a permanent state of growth arrest without dying. In our younger years, this process is beneficial, being essential in wound healing and suppressing the development of tumours. It acts as a protective measure, ensuring that our bodies remain healthy and robust during our reproductive years—typically up until our 40s.
However, as we age beyond this point, cellular senescence, which once served to protect us, begins to have detrimental effects on our bodies. This phenomenon is explained by the evolutionary theory of antagonistic pleiotropy, proposed by George C. Williams in 1957. The theory suggests that the same cellular processes that ensure health and vitality in our youth become toxic as we grow older.
This toxic shift is closely linked to a concept known as "inflammaging"—a chronic, low-grade sterile inflammation that occurs as a result of cellular senescence. Once this inflammation begins, it triggers a cascade of events that lead to the progressive decline of our bodies, manifesting as the aging process we are all familiar with.
Interestingly, aging and death from aging do not appear to be 'planned' by evolution. Instead, they seem to be the result of an evolutionary oversight—a byproduct of mechanisms that were designed to ensure our survival and reproduction, but not necessarily our longevity.
In essence, evolution has equipped us with tools to survive and thrive until we have successfully passed on our genes. Beyond that point, the mechanisms that once protected us begin to falter, leading to the inevitable decline we associate with aging. It's a sobering reminder that while evolution is powerful, it is not perfect.
References
Antagonistic Pleiotropy, ScienceDirect, Archives of Oral Biology 2019
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only, it does not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your health care practitioner for personalised medical advice.