Due at 12pm

Amanda

For this week’s forum I will be writing about the affects of aging in muscle tissue. As the body ages many organs and tissues begin to decline and decay. One of these includes muscle tissues. An article titled, “Muscle Tissue Changes With Aging” states that at least fifty percent of muscle tissue has reduced by the age of ninety (Marques, 2015). Once several muscle tissues are lost, it is difficult to regain that tissue. The loss of muscle tissue can affect an individual’s lifespan. Many elderly people have falls, which in turn can lead to the breaking of bones, or possibly even death. Maintaining muscle tissue is very important, not just for size, strength, or aerobic capacity, but for many functions. With the decline of this tissue, it can cause metabolic and hormonal decreases, obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (Mercola, 2015). Luckily there are several ways to slow down the aging the of muscle tissue which include better nutrition and regular exercise. Along with better nutrition, it is vital to intake enough protein to help your muscles stay strong. According to Dr. Mercola (2015) a person who is fifty years old is suggested to intake one point five grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. She also recommends strength or resistance training at least two times a week. A pharmaceutical drug called, Alk5 Kinase Inhibitor, is a molecule that is said to renew stem cell function in muscle tissue. Though this would be a fantastic solution to the decline of muscle tissue, it has not made it out of the testing phase as of yet. Since mice and humans do vary, it is hard to judge if this drug would be beneficial and valid. Supplements such as whey protein and amino acids have been considered beneficial to help the loss of aging muscle tissue. 

Valerie

This week I have chosen to write about Alzheimer's as a degenerative disorder. Degenerative disorders affect approximately 45 million people around the world and include, but are not limited to Alzheimer’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington’s disease, and Parkinson's disease (Degenerative Disorders). Alzheimer's is the 6th leading cause of death in the United States giving a life span on average of approximately 8 years. Alzheimer's is characterized as a form of dementia. It generally cover memory loss as well as other intellectual abilities that have the power to interfere with daily life activities. (Alzheimer's Association). Although there is no definite diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease, it is often mistakenly diagnosed as cerebral arteriosclerosis. (Reeves). Alzheimer's is not necessarily a disease caused by aging, but it is typically seen in adults over the age of 65 (Alzheimer's Association). 

The initial onset of Alzheimer's disease starts within the hippocampus in the brain. The hippocampus is in charge of the memories. As the neurons in the hippocampus start to die off, the rest of the brain suffers as well and begins to shrink. As Alzheimer's progresses, the brain tissue is shrinks so much that the entire brain is damaged. (Alzheimer's Disease)

There isn't a cure for Alzheimer's as of yet, and there are currently no drugs that will stop progression of Alzheimer's (Reeves). However, a diet high in nutritional value, physical activity and mentally stimulating activities and social connections may help to keep the mind sharp and slow down the risk of cognitive decline. (Alzheimer's Disease). The FDA has approved cholinesterase inhibitors and  memantine to treat the Alzheimer's symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and problems with thinking and reasoning but these medications do not cure or treat Alzheimer's itself (Alzheimer's Association).

Kelley

As medical technology and pharmaceuticals advance in this day and age, many people are having increasing hopes in reversing the signs and symptoms of age. All parts of the body age at different rates. The brain, heart, organs, and the skin are all on their own clock. I chose to discuss the aging effects of skin because there is an abundance of different drugs, skincare products, and cosmetic surgeries on the market. I, myself, have struggled with obtaining the ‘perfect’ skin and have already bought into the skincare products that claim to ‘reverse’ the signs of aging and ‘cure’ certain skin conditions. Some products and drugs have legitimate uses and is scientifically proven to improve certain skin conditions. But are there any legitimate medical solutions in stopping or reversing the aging of skin?

                I found an interesting article that is quite dated, but provides great reason into how and why our skin ages. It is fairly well known that when one ages, your body shrinks and slows. “… Skin continues to grow indefinitely, whereas most other parts of us shrink, atrophy. We truly become "a bag of bones."” (Goldemberg, 1995) When you’re younger, skin has more subcutaneous fat, which wears over time and becomes paper thin and frail. In addition, nail growth slows and lack of producing pigmentation results in graying hair. As mentioned earlier, there are just too many products out on the market that are meant to stop and/or reverse the signs of aging. Many of these are topical creams and lotions, but some people seek solutions through a more permanent solution. Cosmetic surgery is continuing in popularity. It may make your skin appear more youthful, which is a more permanent way of reversing the signs of aging skin, but doesn’t necessarily stop the aging.

                In Goldemberg’s article (1995), he claimed that there were no valid anti-aging supplements one could take that would work. Fast forward to the 21st century, there are small improvements in anti-aging supplements. I found a study that supports oral supplements of collagen improving skin elasticity and moisture versus a placebo. (Proksch et al., 2013) Today, there are so many new products coming out that it is hard to differentiate which ones are genuine. I doubt that this will slow anytime soon, as society is becoming more and more obsessed with the thought of finding the ‘Fountain of Youth’.