The Causes of Menopause and Aging

In menopause and aging, the aging of the skin and cells in all the body organs is part of a natural process which is determined by genes. In fact, the skin turns over a new set of cells every 28 days while the intestinal cells die and are replaced by another set of cells every four days. This process of degeneration and replication of cells occurs throughout life. However, it was discovered that some factors make the newly formed cells less healthy than the previously produces ones. Some of these factors include:

Free Radicals

These reactive and destructive elements are mainly produced through body metabolic process and oxidative phosphorylation. They are a nuisance to the body's well-being and are thus implicated in all cases of menopause and aging. They are also generated through smoking, polluted air and ultra-violet rays from the sun. The actions of free radicals are as follows:

• They cause dark brown spots commonly found in adult bodies. These spots are caused by waste products produced by high production of free radicals in the skin.When there is high level of toxins in the body's tissues, it becomes evident on the skin which is one of the main detoxifying organs of the body.
• They cause protein degradation (destruction). It is important to note that almost all the body cells are made up of proteins.
• They destroy the phospholipid bilayer of the cells (outer coat of the cells ), thereby making the cells weak; an action that is responsible for aging of cells, skin, tissue wrinkling and hardening as seen in menopause and aging.
• They cause molecular crosslinking leading to alteration of the genetic constituents of the cells. This action leads to thickening and narrowing of blood vessels (arteriosclerosis). Free radicals are also implicated in cancer formation, loss of memory, depression, sexual impotence, etc.

Immune System Failure

This is another important factor that contributes to menopause and aging processes. The center of operation of the immune system is located in an organ in the neck called the thymus. It was noticed that this organ shrinks as one grows older and eventually disappears from above 40 years of age. This is an event that depicts the destructive actions of free radicals on the defensive cells of the body.

When the thymus begins to fail, the immune system of the body begins to fail also and this leads to a decrease in the body protection against germs and diseases. The resultant effectof this will be accelerated aging process as also seen in menopause and aging.

In addition, the liver is the major organ of detoxification in the body. All foods, drugs and harmful substances that get into the bidy are first handled by the liver in order to reduce their toxic effects. However, if the liver is unguarded against the actions of free radicals, alcoholism and smoking, its detoxifying capability becomes reduced leading to increased toxicity of the body tissues and thus cells premature aging-a problem in menopause and aging.

It is needful to note that alcohol causes liver damage, abnormal fat deposition, decreases body immunity and increases body toxicity. Therefore, if premature menopause and aging must be averted, the thymus (defense system), the liver and the skin must remain healthy.

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