Aging vs. anti-aging

By Lee Sun-ho

Aging in humans is attributed to a multidimensional process of the physical and emotional changes in the structure of a natural organism that occurs over time and increases the possibility of death.

It is normally marked by a reduction in the ability of cells, tissues or organs to function, even though the maximum lifespan for humans is theoretically up to 120 years.

In contrast, anti-aging addresses how to slow the effects of aging and help people live healthier and longer.

It includes scientific research and applications in genetic engineering and medical treatments, e.g., finding cures for Alzheimer's disease plus involves anti-aging psychology, e.g., better skills for cheerfully accepting aging, change, and stress.

Thanks to many emerging anti-aging factors, Koreans' average life expectancy jumped from 62.7 in 1975 to 79.1 in 2010. Senior citizens over the age of 65 belonging to the so-called ``g-gong generation" occupy 11 percent of the total population of 49 million.

The number of centenarians in Korea exceeds more than 2,000 nowadays (while that of Japan is 40,800). Such trends foretell that the revival of the gerontocracy might be feasible over some parts of the world in the foreseeable future.

In 2030 Korea is expected to rank No. 4, with ``g-gong generation" accounting for 24.3 percent among G20 countries, followed by Italy, Germany and Japan.

Some suggestions to keep in mind for the future of our aging community may be sought for anyone interested in how to live a vibrant life at any mature, golden age in this era where the average span of human life lengthens and the wants for a healthy life increase across the globe.

For example, anti-aging clinics could be set up to reduce the role of aging damage, by periodic replacement of impaired tissues, or by molecular rejuvenation of deteriorated cells.

Also, the age concept of senior citizens in Korea's grey zone needs to be gradually upgraded as time goes by, from 65, the starting point of the ``g-gong generation" to 70 or beyond in the aging society.

Unreserved interexchange of viewpoints between young and elder generations might contribute a great deal to narrow the gap among them and better their understanding of prevailing value judgments, for the purpose of preventing from behind-the-times ways of thinking for oldsters and external child syndromes for kangaroo youngsters.

Korea's multiracial culture caused by intermarriage with diverse racial counterparts notably from a number of Asian nations in reality should be encouraged as a farsighted national policy, to avoid the apparent decrease of population growth as well as to reduce Korea's fastest entrance into the highly-developed aging society in the world.

Varied attempts to slow down the aging process to extend both average and maximum lifespan can be realized through our empowered efforts in practice instead of in theory, whether or not such strategies are concerned with the use of nutritional supplementation, physical fitness, cosmetics, vitamins, herbs, or several hormone therapies.

An aging-associated disease is a sickness that is seen with increasing frequency and with advancing biological senescence in order to deliver improved health and quality of life.

Long lives in humans with unhealthy ailing conditions both physically and mentally are not necessarily wishful blessings and leave a great burden to the community at large.

Our resolute volition to recover from adverse conditions without involving others is necessary but sufficient in the forthcoming years of versatile livelihood. Our prepared will to make our life healthy until the period of our death is desirable.

We live as though we will never die and die as if we had never lived. Any senior citizen belonging to the ``g-gong generation" in Korea certainly grows older and faster along with others among a number of aging countries in the global village.

We should pay as we go with our own physical strength and spiritual insight adequately going abreast with the ongoing environmental and social changes as progressed.

How we spend our days is destined, of course, by how we spend our lives in the aging process with elaborate artificial touches, minimizing dependence on a majority of younger generation manpower with vitality.

Our personal empowerment enables an individual's capability and confidence to make happy decisions best suited for our unique needs for aging well, being well and dying well.

The writer is an outside director of Kunwha Pharmaceutical in Seoul. He can be reached at kexim2@unitel.co.kr.