THE REVERSAL OF AGEING.

In humans, ageing represents the accumulation of changes in human beings over time and can encompass physical, psychological and social changes. It is a natural phenomenon as change is the law of life right from the foetus to death.Though death may be an inevitable end of the body, according to its present concept, its destined hours may be altered by changing the attitude towards aging.

Ageing is gradual deterioration of the body's organ system, slowly but progressive decline in its overall physiological functions. This decline in function occurs even in the absence of disease, at a very slow rate of 1% per year after the age of 30 years. These changes do not become functionally important until such reduction reaches to 30-40%of the original capacity.

The effect of aging is both physical and mental. In physical cases, the skin loses elasticity and wrinkles appear, hair turns grey, eyesight deteriorates, hearing becomes impaired. Joints become stiffer and arthritis often occurs. On a mental level, irritability, poor sleep, depression, senile dementia, several digestive problems especially constipation occur.

Though aging is a natural process, most people age prematurely and suffer from degenerative diseases due to their unnatural lifestyle. What we regard as normal as we age, such as raised blood pressure and hardening of arteries, in fact this is not necessarily natural. Such raised blood pressure and hardening of arteries are not found in those who regularly perform hard manual labour. In fact what we call aging is the outcome of a faulty lifestyle; for example faulty diet, lack of exercise, stress and anxiety.

While aging is found to be subjective and personal, no known theory of ageing is perfect. Someone at 80 appears to be of 60 and someone at 60 looks haggard. Every organ, cell and tissue in the body do not age at the same time or at the same speed, but age at its own time table.

Every system of medicine since long has been trying to discover the secrets of youth and invent a medicine for youthfulness. Now the question arises as to whether it is possible to become young again at old age when the fountain of youth has dried up? In fact becoming young again does not mean that a man or woman at 60 will become a man or woman of 30. To remain youthful for a long time involves two issues, not to become old mentally and physically at a premature age and when chronological age is advanced, try to look, work and behave as a mature young man. The process of remaining young in this way allows one to enjoy life to its maximum along the entire span of long life.

In order to understand the process of reversal or retarding aging we have to consider three different ways to measure someone's age.

First is chronological age; ie ( calendar age.) Second is biological age. This is as to how time has affected your organs and tissues compared to other people of your chronological age. Here it is also important to know that time doesn't affect the body uniformly, rather every cell and organ is aging at its ĺown timetable. This biological age is also not very reliable as the aging process moves at a very slow pace. We cannot change the chronological age as it is fixed but the biological age is changeable with a better lifestyle, which can improve lifespan by an average of ten years. The third one is the psychological age. It is even more flexible.The most important factor to control biological age depends on the psychological age of the person. This factor is highly personal as no two persons are not at the same level.

Hence remaining youthful for a long time involves two issues; first not to become old mentally and physically at a premature age. Secondly when your chronological age is older, try to look, behave and work like a mature young man. The process of remaining young should allow us to the hilt in our mature years.The cultivation of a healthy lifestyle is of great importance in retarding the process of aging. Avoid processed food such as chocolates,biscuits, jams, pickles, jellies and different types of bottled drinks. Most of these foods contain a lot of fat, salt, sugar and chemicals which are harmful. Eat more raw food such as fruits, salad, sprouted grains, vegetables and lean protein. Exercise is essential especially in old age. Walking is the best form of exercise for persons of any age. Walking reduces tension causes decrease in stress hormones, increased relaxation and imparts a sense of wellbeing. It has been proved that exercise improves the biological markers of ageing.Walking for thirty minutes daily at least five days a week is associated with better memory, better health and a long life. Have a good night's sleep for 6 to 8 hours. Sleeping well is essential as the body system requires deep rest to rejuvenate itself. A disturbed sleep causes diminution in resistance to various types of diseases. Socialisation keeps us young and has a wonderful effect on healthy longevity. A healthy sense of humor in addition to an optimistic outlook is the key to long life. Laughter is a great medicine. Studies have shown that stress fighting brain chemicals are released when you laugh. Experts say that a good laugh relaxes tense muscles, expresses more oxygen into your body and lowers blood pressure.

The role of yoga and meditation in longevity is well established as it has been proved that people who meditate live longer by reducing molecular and cellular stress inside their bodies. Another very important factor that goes a long way in preventing aging is directly proportional to individuals ability to learn new things. A cognitive mind with streaks of creativity, optimism with passion and drive to pursue a realistic goal in life is inspiring and fulfilling. A person with a creative mind always remains youthful, exuberant and dynamic till the end irrespective of one's chronological age. Thus growing old actually happens in the mind,and one is as old as one thinks. The trick is to stay alert, active and be healthy, is a very simple proposition. Many people look, behave and feel like youngsters than their chronological age.

Life expectancy has increased over the years as a result of better health care and public awareness about health and hygiene. Today septuagenarians and octogenarians are more active ,agile and productive than those of previous decades when people used to retire at 55-58 years looking quite old, weak, docile and inactive. The greatest discovery of the modern age is not only in the realm of science and technology but in human "psyche" that man can change for the better and that is happening with a progressive and satisfying outcome.

"Anyone who stops learning is old, whether twenty or eighty. Anybody who keeps learning today is young. The greatest thing in life is to keep the mind young".

Henry Ford.