Current Hallmarks of Aging:

• Genomic Instability: Accumulation of DNA mutations and damage. This happens as DNA gets damaged over time. This increases our risk for cancer as we get older.

• Telomere Attrition: Shortening of protective caps at the ends of chromosomes. Shortened telomeres mean shorter lives.

• Epigenetic Alterations: Changes in gene expression patterns without changes in the DNA sequence. These are the bad things we do like smoking or eating processed food, they alter the interpretation of the genome.

• Loss of Proteostasis: Failure to properly fold, assemble, and degrade proteins. This means that the proteins in our cells are not of good quality. This leads to the other healthy cells to overwork and aging happens.

• Deregulated Nutrient Sensing: Dysfunctional response to nutrient availability. This means the cells do not respond to the nutrients.

• Mitochondrial Dysfunction: Decline in the function of energy-producing organelles. Mitochondria are the batteries of our cells and need to be charged for our cells to work efficiently.

• Cellular Senescence: Permanent growth arrest of cells. This means the old cells stop working and aging happens.

• Stem Cell Exhaustion: Depletion of regenerative cells or stem cells. Stem cells are baby cells that can become any cells you want them to be. As we get old, they get depleted, and there is no more regeneration. Eventually, death happens.

• Altered Intercellular Communication: Disruptions in cell-to-cell signaling. This means the cells can't talk to each other and this leads to age-related diseases to occur.