12 Hallmarks of Aging and How to Combat Them

Although scientists have tried, they couldn't find that lone process responsible for aging. Rather, they've found 12 key processes - hence hallmarks - that drive this loss of function. These hallmarks cut through different parts of our body, from our DNA right down to our cells and proteins. Think of them like falling dominoes; when one falls, it triggers a cascade of others leading into the process of aging [1], [2], [3].

Here is the summary of every hallmark, few words to describe it, what causes it, and what actions can be taken to fight every one of it.

• DNA Blueprint: Encodes vital body functions.
• Threats: UV rays, toxic chemicals, free radicals.
• Prevention: Physical activity, reducing sugar/starch intake, antioxidants (such as medicinal mushrooms).

• Telomeres: Protective caps on chromosomes.
• Shortening: Leads to cell death and aging.
• Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, stress management, omega-3 supplements.

• Epigenome: Controls gene on/off switches.
• Impact: Poor lifestyle choices lead to malfunctioning switches.
• Prevention: Healthy diet, exercise, stress management, polyphenols.

• Proteins: Maintain body structure and function.
• Imbalance: Leads to diseases like Alzheimer’s.
• Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, supplements like spermidine and berberine.

• Metabolism: Balances growth and maintenance.
• Imbalance: Leads to oxidative stress and inflammation.
• Prevention: Low-carb/high-veggie diet, intermittent fasting, supplements.

• Mitochondria: Powerhouses of cells.
• Decline: Leads to fatigue and degenerative diseases.
• Prevention: Physical activity, healthy diet, vitamin D supplements, NAD+ precursors.

• Zombie Cells: Non-dividing cells that linger.
• Impact: Drive inflammation and tissue damage.
• Prevention: Exercise, healthy diet, anti-senescent supplements, NAD+ precursors.

• Regeneration: Stem cells replace damaged tissues.
• Decline: Leads to slower healing and increased disease susceptibility.
• Prevention: Healthy lifestyle, supplements like curcumin and fish oil.

• Cell Signaling: Essential for body function.
• Impairment: Leads to inflammation and aging.
• Prevention: Omega-3 fatty acids, stress management, exercise.

• Cellular Cleanup: Removes damaged cell parts.
• Decline: Leads to diseases like cancer.
• Prevention: Intermittent fasting, exercise, spermidine supplements.

• Gut Health: Balances good and bad bacteria.
• Imbalance: Leads to inflammation and disease.
• Prevention: High-fiber diet, medicinal mushrooms.

• Immune Response: Necessary but can become chronic.
• Impact: Drives aging and diseases.
• Prevention: Healthy diet, regular exercise, stress management.

Of course, in the first instance, all these hallmarks can be averted by a healthy lifestyle, low-carb diet, intermittent fasting, and a stress-free life.

Additionally, there are hallmarks that can be supported by medicinal mushrooms. As you may know, mushrooms are excellent antioxidants - therefore, they can prevent Genomic Instability (hallmark No. 1) and also boost your microbiome, hence preventing Microbiome Dysbiosis (hallmark No. 11).

NR (best of the best NAD+ precursor) + trans-resveratrol may prevent Mitochondrial Dysfunction (hallmark No. 6) and Cellular Senescence (hallmark No. 7).

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