Aging: The Reality: "Anti-Aging" Is an Oxymoron

Hayflick, Leonard

doi:10.1093/gerona/59.6.b573

Cited by 69 publications

(59 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…The estimated maximum lifespan is around 126 years on average from periodic life tables of Swedish female from 1950 to 2005. The estimate of about 126 years, despite uncertainty by extrapolation from available mortality data, may support the common belief that there exists a biological limit to human lifespan (Carnes et al 2003;Hayflick 2004). Our purely mathematical approach can be reproduced with a variety of biodemographic datasets for humans or other species at different levels-molecular, subcellular, cellular, tissue, and organ-offering quantitative opportunities in biology, medicine, statistics, public policy, and social culture linking aging and survival kinetics.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 56%

Theoretical estimation of maximum human lifespan

Weon

2008

Biogerontology

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The existence of maximum human lifespan remains a puzzle in aging research. Maximum human lifespan is believed to be around 125 years, whereas current demographic trends seem to show no limitation. To reconcile this contrast, the estimation of maximum human lifespan requires an adequate mathematical model. However, sparse data of available old-age mortality pattern make the estimation impossible. Here we suggest an extended Weibull model for the estimation using a proper mathematical method based on survival probability pattern. We find a tendency that survival probability is maximized in modern human survival curves. Based on such tendency, we develop an estimation method for maximum human lifespan and indeed obtain about 126 years from periodic life tables for Swedish female between 1950 and 2005. Despite uncertainty from available mortality data, our approach may offer quantitative biodemographic opportunities linking aging and survival kinetics.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 56%

Theoretical estimation of maximum human lifespan

Weon

2008

Biogerontology

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“…Biological aging is usually defined as "the incremental, universal, and intrinsic degeneration of physical and cognitive functioning and the ability of the body to meet the physiologic demands that occur with increasing chronologic age" (Robertson et al 2013). The biological age cannot be reliably measured today (Olshansky et al 2002(Olshansky et al , 2004Hayflick 2004), and a need is recognized for a better understanding of the underlying aging processes (Robertson et al 2013;Olshansky et al 2002). The biological aging of the body is known as one of the underlying risk factors influencing the causes of death (Olshansky et al 2002).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Developing countries are not included, their data being less reliable. The 10 countries studied are, by decreasing population size, the United States , Japan (1950-2009), France (1952-2008), Italy (1951-2003, England and Wales (1950-2009), Australia (1950-2004), Sweden (1951-2010), Switzerland (1951-2007, Singapore (1955( -2009( ), and Norway (1951( -2009.…”

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Causes-of-Death Mortality: What Do We Know on Their Dependence?

Arnold

Sherris

2015

North American Actuarial Journal

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Over the last century, the assumption usually made was that causes of death are independent, although it is well-known that dependancies exist. Recent developments in econometrics allow, through Vector Error Correction Models (VECMs), to model multivariate dynamic systems including time dependency between economic variables. Common trends that exist between the variables may then be highlighted, the relation between these variables being represented by a long-run equilibrium relationship. In this work, VECMs are developed for causes-of-death mortality. We analyze the five main causes of death across 10 major countries representing a diversity of developed economies. The World Health Organization website provides cause-of-death information for about the last 60 years. Our analysis reveals that long-run equilibrium relationships exist between the five main causes of death, improving our understanding of the nature of dependence between these competing risks over recent years. It also highlights that countries usually had different past experience in regard to cause-of-death mortality trends, and, thus, applying results from one country to another may be misleading. INTRODUCTIONModels for trends in mortality rates for different ages and sexes as well as for different countries are often based on the assumption that past trends in historical data will continue in the future. Past mortality trends and variability reflect many factors, and these include changes in the causes of death. These causes have differing age patterns and have shown different trends over recent years. At the same time, systematic changes in causes of death have often been shown or assumed to be common across the developing economies. Tuljapurkar et al. (2000) show how mortality declines have had common trends in the G7 countries, although evidence of variability is seen in those trends. Booth et al. (2006) also demonstrate common improvement trends based on the Lee-Carter model and variants of the model. Wilmoth (1995) shows how taking into account causes of death can influence projected trends and effectively highlights how cause-of-death trends are hidden in aggregate data.Dependence between competing risks is important in constructing aggregate mortality rates. However, the relations that exist between the causes of death are not well understood. Usually an assumption is made that causes of death are independent. Cause elimination models as well as cause-delay models are two well-

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“…Leonard Hayflick believes that it will, as demonstrated by his repeated call for greater allocation of NIA monies to biologic research by arguing that aging is the single biggest risk factor for the diseases associated with old age. 17 The anti-aging medicine movement's portrayal of itself as treating aging may lead organized medicine to attempt to assert control over it, or to engage in boundary work like the biogerontologists and geriatricians have. To the extent that anti-aging interventions are portrayed as enhancements, a political movement may develop to curtail them.…”

Section: Rhetorical Labelsmentioning

confidence: 99%