However, a recent study conducted by the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases indicates that aging is not the direct cause of death, but rather a stage that makes the body more susceptible to specific diseases that end in death.
The researchers found that the well-known signs of aging, such as the accumulation of dead cells, damaged DNA, and the deterioration of chromosome caps (the protective structures at the end of each chromosome in our cells), are not the direct killer but merely indicators of a weakening body and increased susceptibility to fatal diseases such as heart failure.
In the study, the research team analyzed 2,410 human autopsy reports and revealed that the circulatory system (cardiovascular system) is the body's primary point of vulnerability. The most common cause of death was cardiovascular disease, particularly heart attacks, which were often only diagnosed after autopsy and accounted for 39% of cases.
Even among centenarians, who are generally considered to be in good health, old age was not the cause of death. Around 70% died from cardiovascular causes, a quarter from respiratory failure, and smaller percentages from failure of other specific organs.
These results indicate that "anti-aging" drugs do not slow down aging itself, but only delay the onset of specific diseases. According to the analysis, the causes of death were distributed as follows: heart attacks 39%, heart or lung failure 38%, strokes approximately 18%, blood clots in the lungs 10%, and rupture of a major artery less than 10%.
The researchers added: "Aging research has long been influenced by assumptions that may not reflect the true complexity of the process. One of the most common of these assumptions is that longevity necessarily means slowing down aging. In fact, longevity often reflects a delay in the onset of certain diseases, rather than a slowing down of aging itself."
The researchers cautioned that the majority of studies on "signs of aging" have been conducted on older animals, making it difficult to determine whether these interventions slow aging or merely treat its symptoms. In the few studies involving younger animals, the treatment benefited both young and older animals, suggesting that the results reflect an overall improvement in health, rather than an alteration of the aging process.
One of the most prominent signs of aging is the presence of "zombie cells," damaged cells that cease dividing but do not die. Instead, they remain in the body and secrete inflammatory substances, contributing to aging and diseases such as Alzheimer's, arthritis, cancer, and diabetes. These cells are claimed to be the primary driver of aging, and if this is true, their removal should reduce disease in the elderly and slow long-term organ decline.
The researchers emphasize that assessing the effectiveness of these interventions requires testing them on middle-aged animals to track deterioration with age.
