Understanding Biological Ageing

By Dejana Subsol

Ageing is not a single event but a complex, multi-layered process shaped by our genetics, lifestyle, and the environment we live in. Over time, the cells that make up our bodies experience gradual “wear and tear,” leading to a decline in how efficiently they function.

We’ve long been told that this is simply inevitable, that growing older means accepting diminished energy, mobility, and vitality. In natural medicine, we see things differently. 

Many of the changes we associate with age, from stiffness and discomfort to metabolic and cardiovascular challenges, are often signals from the body, a kind of language that tells us ageing is happening faster than it should and that we need to do something about it.

Science first identified nine key processes,  known as the hallmarks of ageing, that shape how quickly or slowly we age at the cellular level. 

Today, researchers recognise thirteen, though I consider four of these to belong to what I call the Universal Biological Laws of human health, a subject I’ll explore in one of the future articles.

1. Genomic Instability
   When DNA is more prone to damage.

2. Telomere Attrition
   Shortening of chromosome ends, linked to cellular ageing.

3. Epigenetic Alterations
   Shifts in gene expression without changing the DNA itself.

4. Loss of Proteostasis
   Reduced ability to maintain healthy proteins in cells.

5. Deregulated Nutrient Sensing
   Cells misread energy and nutrient signals.

6. Mitochondrial Dysfunction
   Less efficient energy production in the “powerhouses” of cells.

7. Cellular Senescence
   Cells stop dividing but remain in the body, affecting tissue health.

8. Stem Cell Exhaustion
   Reduced ability to regenerate and repair tissues.

9. Altered Intercellular Communication
   Changes in how cells “talk” to each other.
   
   

These terms may sound complex, but they each describe a specific way in which our cells change over time, and understanding them is the first step in addressing them.

Over the coming weeks, I’ll guide you through each hallmark in clear, practical language, exploring how to protect your cells and support their natural repair processes. You’ll learn simple, actionable steps to help you slow the pace of ageing and maintain a level of health and vitality that feels aligned with your best years.

Your body has extraordinary potential for renewal. I look forward to showing you how to tap into it.