Talk:Aging Immunity/@comment-26256072-20190417030132/@comment-26256072-20190417055907

That's an oxymoron. Biologically speaking, aging = effects of aging.

The mere passage of time does not cause organisms to grow old; rather, senescence is caused by the accumulation of the following 7 problems:

1. Mutations in the nuclear DNA, caused by depletion of the telomeres. Results in cancer.

2. Mutations in the mitochodrial DNA, caused by oxidative stress. Results in cell degeneration.

3. Junk proteins build up inside the cells, because our lysosomes lack the enzymes to digest them. Results in degenerative diseases.

4. Junk proteins build up outside the cells, because our immune system doesn't digest them. Results in plaques.

5. Cells are lost and not regenerated, because stem cells don't replace them. Results in tissue degeneration.

6. Cells that are worn out stop dividing instead of self-destructing, because the p21 gene diverts them down this pathway. Results in joint degeneration, fat build-up, and harmful secretions.

7. Extracellular cross-link proteins are not broken down, because our enzymes don't do this very well. Results in loss of elasticity.

If you live for 100 years but don't get any of these symptoms, you won't "age" a day past 25.