AT what age does old age begin? Does it begin when we’re born or after adulthood?

They are two questions that have yet to be answered by many scientists when taking into account that aging is, perhaps, the most multi-factored and diverse process that exists, in which every cell in the body ages differently; at the same time, life expectancy is increasing with every year that passes.

According to experts, we are programmed to live between 100 and 120 years, but the age when old age begins is uncertain; however, that is not true for the aging process.

"When we are born, the biological clock begins ticking, and old age is genetically determined as the progressive loss by cells of their ability for self-regeneration," was a recent explanation by Doctor Pablo Argibay, of the Hospital Italiano’s Institute of Basic Science.

Aging, which according to this expert begins the moment we are born, possesses genetic mechanisms that prevent cells from renewing themselves without limit. "The system is prepared for one to live to a certain age without major degenerative changes in the body, given there are ways to retard or accelerate aging," Argibay comments.

The former is caused by bad lifestyle habits: smoking, excess drinking, inadequate diet, lack of physical activity, stress and an accumulation of toxic substances. The second, in contrast, is achieved through a healthy lifestyle that includes not only regular physical exercise – above all after the age of 50, to prevent bone problems – but also intellectual activity.

It should not be forgotten that exercise increases the production of chemical substances that encourage the development of neurons and new connections between them. These include the bone structures, which, after the age of 35, begin to age; later, a process of slow reduction begins, which accelerates in women at menopause, but is slower among men.

Other experts state in reference to aging that biologically there is no set age while memory remains active, and affirm that this process begins when individuals lose interest in their environment and becomes isolated because of losing their motivations in life. Thus, one may be old at the age of 60 or at 40. However, most experts now point to the age of 50 as the point of gerontological inflexion. They say that that age defines quality of life for the subsequent decades, during which the muscles become weaker, movements slower, equilibrium is altered, hearing weakens and vision is increasingly difficult.

In general, however, forgetfulness and vision problems are the first signs of aging. Visual deterioration begins between the ages of 40 and 50, when one must get closer to a newspaper or book to read. This occurs because the crystalline lenses become less flexible and cannot focus on objects or adequately process light. On average, by the age of 60, they need three times more light than at the age of 20 to read the same text.

Memory, however, begins to show symptoms of weakening at the age of 40, when forgetfulness becomes a concern. Nevertheless, when such problems are not due to depression, tiredness or stress, it is recommended that a memory stimulation program be followed, and that, among other things, one should keep a good notebook to keep track of information.

One thing that all experts agree on is that from the age of 50, preventative checkups should be made, including exams for bone, cardiovascular and mental health to see whether they are appropriate for age or if there are signs of accelerated aging. Moreover, nutrition should be reorganized and should include fruits, greens and whole grains.

Trying to stop the process of aging is, at the least, a utopian conduct that is not solved by visiting doctor after doctor or geriatrist after geriatrist.

We must learn how to grow older, confront limitations, losses and physical and psychological pain. In this context, in contrast to other countries where aging is synonymous with survival, for more than 40 years the Cuban state has been expanding and developing a healthcare system based on protection and help – completely free of charge – for older adults, via diverse medical and scientific institutions and highly qualified personnel. Hence, aging in Cuba... can begin at any age.