How Obesity Quickens Aging
Aging is a process many of us have to go through, but did you know obesity can make symptoms worse?
How Obesity Quickens Aging
Aging is a process many of us have to go through, but did you know obesity can make symptoms worse?
Let us explore the underlying mechanisms that obesity contributes to aging.
What Is Obesity
Obesity is the accumulation of excess body fat, usually with a negative impact on health. People suffering from obesity are at higher risks of heart related diseases.
Inflammation
Obesity promotes inflammation, especially on adipose tissue. When the immune cells of adipose tissue get altered by obesity, this leads to chronic inflammation later on.
DNA Telomere Depletion
Telomeres are the DNA protein structures found at the end of our chromosomes, and these typically get shorter as we age. Obesity is found to accelerate this process, causing telomeres to become shorter faster than usual, leading to age-related disorders.
Epigenetics
Human genetics are actually very malleable, and obesity can cause havoc to our DNA structures. When obesity tampers with our gene expression, this can lead to the body becoming more vulnerable to age related diseases.
Cellular Senescence
Beyond genetics, obesity also affects how our cells function over time. Cellular senescence happens when cells stop dividing and start releasing harmful substances into surrounding tissues. Obesity speeds up this process by creating stress in our cells. These senescent cells build up in the body and contribute to tissue damage and organ dysfunction as we get older.
Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Mitochondria work as the powerhouses of our cells, producing the energy we need to stay alive and healthy. When someone carries excess weight, their mitochondria start to work less efficiently. This damaged energy production means cells cannot repair themselves properly. Over time, this dysfunction builds up and accelerates the aging process throughout the entire body.
