Experts, defining aging as ‘a decrease in body functions and adaptation to environmental factors over time’, say that scientists today are striving to understand the biological causes of aging.
Noting that intensive studies are underway to slow down or stop age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's, osteoarthritis, heart diseases, and Type 2 diabetes, Molecular Biology and Genetics Specialist Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy said, “Lifestyle is much more important than genetics for longevity.”
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy stated that “intermittent fasting” (aralıklı oruç) or traditional fasting practices, which have become popular worldwide, are thought to contribute to the longevity process.
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy from Üsküdar University Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences (FENS), Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, evaluated the current stage of genetic science concerning aging.
An estimated 62 billion dollars are spent annually on “anti-aging” treatments
According to The New York Times, Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy noted that consumers spend an estimated 62 billion dollars annually on “anti-aging” treatments, adding, “However, while these creams, medications, hair dyes, stem cell therapies, mesotherapies, facial fillers, and Botox applications may give people the impression of youth, none of them can reverse aging.”
DNA damage caused by environmental factors cannot be eliminated
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy, who defines aging as ‘a decrease in body functions and adaptation to environmental factors over time,’ continued:
“Individuals can no longer eliminate DNA damage caused by environmental factors (such as UV, radiation, overeating, alcohol, smoking, drugs, carcinogens, polluted air), toxic substances accumulated in their bodies, and insoluble protein plaques formed by excessive glycosylation (excess glucose and protein).
Today, scientists are intensively pursuing studies aimed at slowing down or stopping age-related diseases (such as Alzheimer's, osteoarthritis, heart diseases, Type 2 diabetes, cancer) by trying to understand the biological causes of aging.”
Many theories exist regarding aging
Pointing out that there are many theories related to aging or longevity, Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy stated:
“Firstly, telomere regions were found at the ends of chromosomes. It was discovered that after a certain period, when telomere lengths shortened, cell division stopped, which caused aging. Subsequently (about 20 years ago), with the discovery of the telomerase enzyme (TERT gene) that prevents the shortening of these telomere lengths, many scientists claimed to have found a cure for immortality. However, in the ongoing process, it was understood that 85-90 percent of cancer cells possess this telomerase enzyme activity. In other words, telomere activity (the shortening of telomere length) and helper genes such as CDKN2A/B gene (tumor suppressor proteins) and SH2B3 gene (lymphocyte adapter protein) contribute to a decrease in repair within the body and an increase in the incidence of age-related chronic diseases, while also helping to reduce the risk of cancer.”
Many more genes related to longevity were discovered in studies on animals
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy explained that in subsequent years, many more genes related to longevity were discovered, particularly in studies on model animals, and said, “Some of the best known are genes related to mTOR (target of rapamycin) and IGF-1 (Insulin-like growth factor) hormones. These hormones work to ensure the organism's growth and balance. However, high IGF-1 and mTOR levels have been associated with a shorter lifespan, various types of cancer, and Type 2 diabetes. Suppressing these genes has extended the lifespan in model animals, but their effect in humans is not fully known.”
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy noted that in recent years, it is thought that intervening in epigenetic changes rather than genes related to aging would be more positive, adding, “In epigenetic regulation, the DNA code does not change, but over time, some genes in an individual can be turned on or off due to environmental or biological factors.”
Fasting practices are thought to contribute to the longevity process
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy also explained that SIR (sirtuin genes) and AMPK (adeninosine monophosphate kinase) genes play important roles in regulating energy metabolism, breaking down plaques accumulated in the body, regenerating stem cells, and breaking down fats. She noted that an increase in the activity of these genes has been found to be associated with longevity, and especially calorie restriction causes these genes to become active. Therefore, "intermittent fasting" (aralıklı oruç) or traditional fasting practices, which have become popular worldwide, are thought to contribute to the longevity process.
How effective is parental genetics on lifespan?
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy stated that the influence of parental genetics on osteoarthritis, Type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's, and heart diseases was considered significant, saying, “It was thought that parental genetics were effective at 68 percent for osteoarthritis, 61-78 percent for Type 2 diabetes, 58-79 percent for Alzheimer's, and 45-69 percent for heart diseases. However, according to a large-scale study in Nature journal, parental influence was found to be 51.9 percent for osteoarthritis, 18 percent for Type 2 diabetes, and 7.1 percent for Alzheimer's.”
Mothers can be held a little more responsible for longevity
In addition to all these, Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy also stated that the aging of mitochondria and the formation of oxidative stress in cells are considered important causes of aging, adding, “The biggest responsibility here belongs to our mothers. Since we inherit our mitochondria from our mothers, mothers can be held a little more responsible for longevity.”
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy explained that extensive studies are being conducted to identify genetic variants that predispose to diseases, and a gene bank with 500,000 volunteers has been created especially in the UK. She stated that there is information about nearly 900 genes and 3,144 variants related to human aging, and these studies show that genes are important when young but their importance decreases with age.
What should be done to naturally lengthen telomere length?
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy stated that hypertension, obesity, excessive soda intake, and high omega-6 fat consumption shorten telomere length. She explained that to naturally lengthen telomere length, one should exercise regularly (not heavily), lead an active life, maintain a healthy diet (rich in fruits and vegetables), eat a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, reduce stress, avoid carcinogens (alcohol, smoking, drugs), maintain a healthy weight, and practice calorie restriction.
Lecturer Dr. Esma Ulusoy noted that until the definitive effects of genetic science on humans are determined, embracing healthy lifestyle habits might be a more logical approach (for now) in the quest for a healthy and long life, adding, “We can say that lifestyle is much more important than genetics for longevity.”