cover of episode Why do people get older?

Why do people get older?

2023/9/22
logo of podcast But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids

But Why: A Podcast for Curious Kids
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Suvi Newcomb医生：衰老是一个复杂的过程，涉及多个方面。从最简单的角度来说，年龄是时间的体现，活得越久，年龄越大。但更重要的是，随着时间的推移，我们的身体会发生变化。其中一个主要理论是DNA损伤理论，即随着年龄增长，DNA受到各种有害物质（如化学物质、污染物、紫外线）的损伤，导致其功能下降，从而影响身体各个系统的运作。另一个理论是端粒缩短理论，端粒是染色体末端的保护帽，随着年龄增长，端粒会逐渐缩短，最终导致细胞衰老。此外，黑色素的减少会导致头发变白，胶原蛋白和弹性蛋白的减少会导致皮肤出现皱纹，骨骼的退化会导致身高变矮，氧气利用能力的下降会导致疲劳，平衡能力的下降则会增加摔倒的风险。艰苦的生活会加速这些变化，但改善生活状况后，身体机能仍有可能得到改善。老年人虽然身体机能有所下降，但他们拥有丰富的经验和知识，与他们相处并学习是宝贵的经历。

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Younger people have lots of questions about older people, like: Why do we age? Why do people get gray or white hair? Why do older people have wrinkles? Why do older people have veins that stick up? Why are older people more tired? Why do some people get shorter as they get older? Dr. Suvi Neukam, a geriatrician at Oregon Health and Sciences University, answers kids’ questions about aging in this episode.

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