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The sale of putative anti-aging products such as nutrition, [[physical]] fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements and herbs has become a lucrative industry, with the US market generating about $50 billion of revenue each year.[1] Medical experts state that the use of such products has not been shown to affect the aging [[process]], and many claims of anti-aging medicine advocates have been roundly criticized by medical experts, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Medical_Association American Medical Association].[1][2][3][4] Bioethicists question whether and how the human lifespan should be extended.
The sale of putative anti-aging products such as nutrition, [[physical]] fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements and herbs has become a lucrative industry, with the US market generating about $50 billion of revenue each year.[1] Medical experts state that the use of such products has not been shown to affect the aging [[process]], and many claims of anti-aging medicine advocates have been roundly criticized by medical experts, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Medical_Association American Medical Association].[1][2][3][4] Bioethicists question whether and how the human lifespan should be extended.
==Ageing==
==Ageing==
Aging is an accumulation of damage to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macromolecule macromolecules], cells, tissues and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_(anatomy) organs]. The maximum life span for humans is in excess of 120 years, whereas the maximum lifespan of a mouse, commonly used as a [[model]] in [[research]] on aging, is about four years. [[Genetic]] [[differences]] between humans and mice that may account for these different aging rates include efficiency of DNA repair, types and quantities of antioxidant [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyme enzymes], and different rates of free radical production.
[[Aging]] is an accumulation of damage to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macromolecule macromolecules], cells, tissues and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_(anatomy) organs]. The maximum life span for humans is in excess of 120 years, whereas the maximum lifespan of a mouse, commonly used as a [[model]] in [[research]] on aging, is about four years. [[Genetic]] [[differences]] between humans and mice that may account for these different aging rates include efficiency of DNA repair, types and quantities of antioxidant [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enzyme enzymes], and different rates of free radical production.
Average lifespan in a [[population]] is lowered by infant and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_mortality child mortality], which are frequently linked to infectious diseases or nutrition problems. Later in life, vulnerability to [[accidents]] and age-related afflictions such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer cancer] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiovascular_disease cardiovascular disease] play larger roles. Extension of average lifespan can be achieved by good diet, [[exercise]] and avoidance of hazards such as smoking. Maximum lifespan is determined by the rate of aging for a species inherent in its genes and probably by certain [[environmental]] factors. One widely recognized [[method]] of extending maximum lifespan in [[organisms]] such as nematodes is calorie restriction. Another [[technique]] used evolutionary pressure such as breeding from only older members. Theoretically, extension of maximum lifespan could be achieved by reducing the rate of aging damage, by periodic replacement of damaged tissues, or by molecular repair or rejuvenation of deteriorated cells and tissues.
Average lifespan in a [[population]] is lowered by infant and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Child_mortality child mortality], which are frequently linked to infectious diseases or nutrition problems. Later in life, vulnerability to [[accidents]] and age-related afflictions such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cancer cancer] or [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiovascular_disease cardiovascular disease] play larger roles. Extension of average lifespan can be achieved by good diet, [[exercise]] and avoidance of hazards such as smoking. Maximum lifespan is determined by the rate of aging for a species inherent in its genes and probably by certain [[environmental]] factors. One widely recognized [[method]] of extending maximum lifespan in [[organisms]] such as nematodes is calorie restriction. Another [[technique]] used evolutionary pressure such as breeding from only older members. Theoretically, extension of maximum lifespan could be achieved by reducing the rate of aging damage, by periodic replacement of damaged tissues, or by molecular repair or rejuvenation of deteriorated cells and tissues.
==Current anti-aging strategies and issues==
==Current anti-aging strategies and issues==
===Diets and supplements===
===Diets and supplements===