The joined aging theory.

In attempts to develop an instrument for prolonging life, mankind has created more than 300 theories of aging, each of which offers its own original cause of the age-dependent degradation. Among them, there are many logically perfect theories based on actual, repeatedly checked facts, but none of them have given a practically significant result. The theory presented here is based on the conception that life is a phenomenon that represents many interrelated physicochemical processes propelled by the energy of the mitochondrial bioenergetic machine. The gradual age-dependent degradation of all vital processes is caused by a programmed decrease in the bioenergetics level. This theory unites all existing aging theories that are built on authentic facts; the data accumulated in different fields of biology have served the basis to show that the fundamental phenomena that accompany the aging process, such as an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a decrease in the general level of protein synthesis, the limitation of cellular proliferation (Hayflick limit), a decrease in the efficiency of reparation mechanisms are caused by the attenuation of bioenergetics. Each of these phenomena in turn generates a number of harmful secondary processes. Almost all of the current theories are based on one of these destructive phenomena or their combination. Hence, each theory describes one side of the aging process that is initially caused by a programmed decrease in the bioenergetics level. The united theory makes it possible to understand the nature of the aging clock and explains the phenomenon of lifespan extension under the conditions of food restriction. Failures of attempts to develop a remedy for senescence are explained by the fact that the currently used manipulations with the separate secondary phenomena of bioenergetics attenuation are not capable of advancing longevity beyond the bounds of its natural duration, although they can improve the quality of life in old age. The only way to achieve unlimited healthy life is to find a way of managing bioenergetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]