Damage/Errors/Waste Accumulation Theories of Aging-
General Formulations
Wear and Tear Theory of Aging
The very general idea first introduced this theory in 1882 by Dr. August Weismann. that changes associated with ageing are the result of chance damage that accumulates over time. Aging is an inevitable consequence of accumulated wear and tear: Toxins, free-radical molecules, DNA-damaging radiation, disease and stress ravage the body to the point it can’t rebound. The organs-liver, stomach, kidneys, skin and so on are worn down by toxins in our diet and in the environment; by the excess consumption of fat, sugar, caffeine, alcohol and nicotine; by the ultraviolet rays of the sun and by the many other physical and emotional stresses to which we subject our bodies. Wear and tear is not confined to our organs, however it also takes place on the cellular level.
When we’re young, the body’s own maintenance and repair systems keep compensating for the effects of both normal and excessive wear and tear. With age, the body loses its ability to repair damage-whether caused by diet, environmental toxins, bacteria or a virus. Thus, many elderly people die of diseases that they could have resisted when they were younger.
These damage-based theories all speculate that the initial damage moves from the molecular level outward to the tissues and organs of the body, eventually taking the form of degenerative diseases such as: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis, senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and other life-ending processes.
The Error Catastrophe Theory
The error catastrophe theory considered aging a result of a breakdown in the accuracy of protein synthesis within somatic cells.
Waste Accumulation Theory of Aging
The biological theory of ageing that points to a buildup of cells of waste products that presumably interferes with metabolism. This theory proposes that, as we age, our cells accumulate waste products as a consequence of normal metabolic processes in the cells. It is believed that this build-up of toxic “sludge” eventually compromises normal cell functions. For example, Lipofuscin pigments or liver spots, common on aging skin, are an example of this waste material. The brownish pigments consist of oxidized (rancid) fats that accumulate in the skin, as well as in the internal organs of our body, as we age.
Misrepair Accumulation Theory
“This very recent novel theory suggests that ageing is the result of the accumulation of “Misrepair”. Important in this theory is to distinguish among “damage” which means a newly emerging defect before any reparation has taken place, and “Misrepair” which describes the remaining defective structure AFTER (incorrect) reparation. The key points in this theory are: Misrepair does mainly not happen accidentally, it is a necessary measure of the reparation system to achieve sufficiently quick reparation of a damage. There is no damage left unrepaired. If damage was left unrepaired a life threatening condition would develop. However perfect reparation (full reconstitution) of a structure is not feasible for the reparation system in sufficient time. The solution to this dilemma, namely the exigence of sufficiently quick and sufficiently accurate reparation which evolution has favored is a compromise: Misrepair. So the reparation system sometimes even promotes Misrepair to guarantee immediate survival of the living being. However, since Misrepair is invisible for the reparation system it accumulates in time and causes inevitably problems on the longer term: It is the actual source of ageing. Hence the appearance of Misrepair sacrifices long-term survival for the immediate survival of individual which is more important for the survival of species. Therefore the Misrepair mechanism was selected by nature due to its evolutionary advantage. Ageing is the side-effect for survival, immediate survival and species survival. Thus Misrepair might represent the mechanism by which organisms are not programmed to die but to survive, and ageing and the final individual death is just the price to be paid.”
