Warning Signs of Health and How We Age - Adult Health and Wellness

In infancy and childhood, we can be fairly accuratehormone, adrenal cortical steroid, and the
in predicting physical growth and development athormone associated with Parkinson's disease,
different ages and stages. But as we age, there isdopamine.o Long term and cross sectional studies
no uniform timetable. Chronological age is notdo not support any theories that suggest a
necessarily a good indicator of how someone will"normal" or "general" rate of aging of humans.
look, feel or function in the world. Studies ofStudies of identical twins have shown large
Werner Syndrome, premature aging disease, maydiscrepancies in life span. Interestingly though,
provide information about the genetic process ofthere seem to be large differences in aging rates
normal aging. Werner Syndrome creates manybetween men and women.
diseases and symptoms that usually occur whenAlthough aging is inevitable, how we look, feel and
people age, including: graying of the hair, skincope as we get older, is not. Aging affects each
changes, cataracts, diabetes, vascular disease,of us at different rates and in different ways.
osteoporosis, and even cancer.Even within the same individual, each organ and
Aging Theorieso Progammed aging theories areorgan system ages differently, influenced by
based on the assumption that senescence, or oldgenetics, environment, lifestyle, attitudes, social
age, sets in when a predetermined finite numbernetworks, spiritual connections, and overall health
of cell divisions or heart beats have occurred.oand well being. With the right combination of
Somatic mutation theory suggests thatlifestyle ingredients, we can be truly vigorous,
chromosomal changes occur from genetic andhealthy, alive and vibrant at any age.
DNA miscoding, translation errors, hydrolysis,The 12 Warning Signs of Health
irradiation, and spontaneous replication of errors.oIn the Spring of 2003, a local newsletter for
Error catastrophe theory blames defectiveSchool Health Personnel printed an article by Karen
enzymes for disrupting cellular function andArmitage, District II Health Office, in which she
actually causing errors in translating the geneticcreated the following list (paraphrased) of 12
codes for protein synthesis.o Free radical theorywarning signs of health.
suggests that oxidation of lipids, proteins, fats, and1. Persistence of a supportive network.
carbohydrates as well as environmental2. Chronic positive expectations, tendency to
toxinscause oxygen compounds to form with anframe events constructively.
extra electron charge, known as a "free radical."o3. Episodic peak experiences.
Cross linking theory claims that cross linking (which4. Evidence of increasing spiritual growth.
occurs in proteins, DNA, and lipids from exposure5. Increased awareness of the present moment.
to environmental and dietary compounds) actually6. Tendency to adapt to changing conditions.
changes the characteristics of the tissues of body7. Rapid response and recovery when challenged.
organs, such as collagen and elastin, which then8. Increased appetite for physical activity.
become less pliable and less elastic, resulting in9. Tendency to identify and communicate feelings.
gross changes in the skin, artery walls, the10. Repeated episodes of gratitude and joy.
musculoskeletal system, and the lens of the eye.o11. Compulsion to contribute to society.
Cybernetic theory suggests that the central12. Persistent sense of humor.
nervous system accelerates aging due to changesOne Final Warning
in the endocrine system and the hypothalamus,If five or more of these indicators are present,
affecting the rate of production of thyroidyou may be at risk for full-blown health.