All life forms have a beginning and an end.  Ageing is a natural process which ultimately culminates in death.  Even if our cells multiply several times over, it is also programmed to grow old.  There are cells such as nervous cells for example, that stop multiplying before we are even born because we have enough of them.  This explains why our brains continue to function normally even as we advance in age.

The process of ageing is a progressive one.  It is primarily manifested physically.  Our skin loses its elasticity and suppleness, our muscles lose their mass and our bones become brittle and fragile.

Scientists have come up with many theories to explain the ageing process.  Let us have a look at some of them.

In 1882 Dr. Vladimir Dilman came up with the “wear and tear” theory.  According to this theory the overuse of cells and organs of the body leads to damage which in turn causes death.  Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, and fatty foods wreak havoc on the cells and organs resulting in wear and tear.  Although having a lifestyle will not grant us immortality, it at least reduces the speed at which our organs wear out.

Decades later, in 1954, the free radical theory came out.  A free radical is a molecule that is different from the normal molecules of the body.  When these two types of molecules come in contact, the result is a destructive reaction.  Free radicals weaken the body’s immune system thereby making us more susceptible to diseases.  They also contribute to ageing through a form of oxidation.  Fortunately some specialists were able to discover substances that can combat ageing and these are now called antioxidants.  Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E are some of the antioxidants which people take to help the body combat premature ageing.

The genetic control theory is probably the most pessimistic of the lot.  This theory says that each of us is destined to die at a predetermined time which has been encoded in our genes.  Our time of death is something that is believed to be something we inherit from previous generations.

The neuroendocrine theory is actually an elaboration on the wear and tear theory.  Instead of external forces that damage and destroy the cells and organs, this theory states that ageing is the result of the decrease in production of hormones as people get older.  Hormones cause growth and they also keep our organs and muscles in good health.  With the lowered hormone activity among older people, comes the loss of muscle mass as well as the disruptionof the normal functioning of the organs.

The Waste Accumulation theory attributes death to the presence of toxins in the body produced by waste.  It says that during our lifetime, these wastes build-up and when it reaches critical levels, cause the cells themselves to die and eventually us as well.

Lastly there is the ominously named Death Hormone theory.  This is based on the fact that our pituitary glands secrete a substance called death hormones.  These hormones do not allow the cells from utilizing thyroxine which has a strong connection with metabolism and is produced by the thyroid.  The significance of this lies on the fact that when cells are not able to use thyroxine, they no can longer convert food properly into energy and when this happens, the ageing process is speeded up.