Studying Twins Helps Explain Which Lifestyle Factors Contribute to Aging -
There is an annual festival outside of Cleveland, Ohio, that is for twins only, celebrated in a place appropriately called, Twinsburg. What better place to get a higher understanding of how identical twins age in differing ways.
Researchers observe and evaluate identical twins over the course of time to observe how they age in different ways. From a scientific research perspective, access to test subjects who share so many genetic qualities and are reasonable facsimiles of each other is a scientific prize.
Comparing the twin siblings from a social behavioral viewpoint allows scientists to understand how certain factors contribute to uniqueness in their appearance. A study was conducted using one hundred eighty six pairs of twins to study these specifics.
Often the differences are quite conspicuous when observed in photos of the twins. For instance, evaluating a pair of twin sisters, when one smokes and the other does not, the smoker displays fine lines vertically creasing the area around her lips. There are also clearly visible deeper and lengthy creases about her eyes.
This occurs as a result of smoking due to tiny blood vessels shrinking in the face as the epidermis is lacking in proper nutrients. This according to an expert on aging and author of the study conducted. Smoking has a dehydrating effect on the skin and it remains a great deal drier.
Aging is also evident as a result of UV exposure from the sun. Two seventy two year old twin sisters, one lives in Hawaii, is a sun worshipper, always tanning herself while her sister lives in the US northeast and keenly avoids any sun exposure. The outcome of this is the sun loving sister has a lot more skin wrinkles about her cheeks and eyes.
The tanned sister claims to have been aware of the apparent risk she was taking by cooking herself regularly in the sun but her excuse was it was in the seventies and her interest laid in having a lot of fun.
The study also included data regarding the aging effect from going through a divorce. The effect of understated but continual stress had an effect on the epidermis. Stress was a cause of added lineage about the mouth [laugh lines] and darker skin below the eyes. Subtle telltale signs of worry and fatigue associated with stress.
Lifestyle Modification To Fight The Aging Process
Science investigators have understood the particular behaviors that can take a toll on the skin; however, it was not until they began studying twins that they realized to what extent this was true. Having identical test subjects proved invaluable to the research.
There is a silver lining to the information acquired and that is any damage incurred can be thwarted and there is a good chance that some of the harmful results could be reversed. The human body has an uncanny ability to restore and revivify itself. When individuals take personal responsibility over their lifestyle choices, the signs of aging can be slowed.
Fri, Dec 18, 2009
Anti Aging, Health And Aging, Lifestyle