Intrinsic Aging - The Natural Aging Process

A lot of people die from accidents and other diseases long before they ever have to worry about the aging issue and the sagging skin and body wrinkles. The experimental evidence that suggests aging is under genetic control, rather than a consequence of normal wear and tear, is compelling. Aging is a process that is natural for everyone; however, if people take care of their skin before they get wrinkles, they can help to avoid dealing with some of these visible signs of aging.

Intrinsic aging, also known as the natural aging process, is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. Genes control how quickly the normal aging process unfolds. The signs of intrinsic aging are:

Fine wrinkles,
Thin and transparent skin,
Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck ,
Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin,
Dry skin that may itch,
Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin,
Graying hair that eventually turns white,
Hair loss,
Unwanted hair Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develops,

While it may seem that the signs of photoaging appear overnight, they actually lie invisible beneath the surface of the skin for years. While you cannot stop or even slow down the intrinsic aging process, you can prevent signs of premature aging by protecting your skin from the sun, quitting smoking, and eliminating facial exercises.

Antioxidants are something with which many people have now become familiar. Antioxidants are molecules which can safely interact with free radicals and terminate the chain reaction before vital molecules are damaged. Antioxidants are intimately involved in the prevention of cellular damage -- the common pathway for cancer, aging, and a variety of diseases. Although there are several enzyme systems within the body that scavenge free radicals, the principle micronutrient (vitamin) antioxidants are vitamin E, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Green tea contains antioxidants, but fruits and vegetables are better source. Regular physical exercise enhances the antioxidant defense system and protects against exercise induced free radical damage. Antioxidants are also thought to have a role in slowing the aging process and preventing heart disease and strokes, but the data is still inconclusive.

Supplements are not substitutes for a healthy diet. Most medical experts agree that one should not pursue high doses of nutritional supplements or herbs because not enough is known about their potential impact on cancer therapies; their purported benefits may not be confirmed, while there could be risks. Individuals who may want to consider supplements include those who are underfed, have certain medical conditions, chronic dieters, some vegetarians, some seniors, and newborns.

Meanwhile, commercial res­veratrol supplements are available, and people are taking them, including some scientists in the field. The news sparked a huge demand for resveratrol supplements, which began flooding the health-food market almost immediately. Several studies have demonstrated that resveratrol is an effective antioxidant.

Red wine contains resveratrol and even higher levels of flavonoids. Although its presence in red wine has stimulated a great deal of interest in the potential for resveratrol to prevent cardiovascular disease, there is currently no convincing evidence that resveratrol has cardioprotective effects in humans, particularly in the amounts present in 1-2 glasses of red wine.