Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society Health and Ageing biology, - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Organised by: Co-Sponsored: Malaysian Healthy Ageing Society

Health and Ageing biology, psychology and sociology Aarhus University - library Aarhus University – science park Biogerontology, class Molecular Biology Dept Suresh Rattan, PhD, DSc Editor-in-Chief, Biogerontology Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Aarhus University, Denmark

Health is multi- dimensional… . Sociological effectors and implications Psychological modulators Biological basis

How do you tell someone is old? • Appearance – wrinkles, baldness, blank eyes • Mobility – walking speed • Posture • Talking / listening problems • Forgetfulness

What is healthy ageing for you? • Mobility and independence • Positive social network • Good hearing and vision • Appetite and digestion • Reasonable memory

When do we become old? Sociologically ? Psychologically ? Biologically ?

Biologically, we START becoming old if we live longer than our species’ essential lifespan. Essential Lifespan (ELS) Species Lifespan required in evolutionary terms Humans 40 - 45 years

Biologically, we START becoming old if we live longer than our species’ essential lifespan. Psychologically, we STOP “becoming” old after essential lifespan.

Defining youth, health and old age…, by Frailty Index (from 32 markers) • Slower walk time (5 meter walk test) • Reduced grip strength (dynamometer) • Reduced physical activity (Minnesota Leisure Time Activity Questionnaire) • Rapid exhaustion (Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale) • Rapid weight loss (over 5% loss in the last year)

Frailty Index: number of deficits/ 32 From: Kulminski et al 2006

Defining Health homeodynamic space Growth, development and Homeodynamic space maturation…. Vulnerability zone

Biological characteristics of the homeodynamic space 1. Stress response and buffering capacity 2. Damage prevention, repair and removal 3. Continuous remodelling and adaptation

Health, healthy and quality of life…. Health ??

Health, healthy and quality of life…. Health: Physical and mental independence of daily living.

Health, healthy and quality of life…. Being healthy means -- ?

Health, healthy and quality of life…. Being healthy means: Having adequate physical and mental activities of daily living.

Health, healthy and quality of life…. Health: Physical and mental independence of daily living. Being healthy means: Having adequate physical and mental activities of daily living. "Quality of life" is independent of the state of health - it is mostly subjective.

What we need for maintaining health…. Biological level – food, shelter, biomedical technology Sociological level – identity, contact, communication Psychological level – attitude, ethics and spirituality We will talk about Spirituality and Healthy Ageing, later today….

Mantra….????

Suresh Rattan’s mantra for a healthy ageing and longevity If you should choose one… Natural condition to avoid Direct sunlight Man-made thing to avoid Smoking cigarettes Physical hormetin Walking Mental hormetin Reading Nutritional hormetin Spices Pill Multi-vitamin pill Cosmetic with kinetin, hormetin Psychological behaviour Spirituality (sureshrattan.com)