As we get older, wrinkles appear. This is because our connective tissue and skin cells do not function as well as they did when we were young. Our memory gradually diminishes and we forget things. Our brain cells are no longer as active as they used to be and our immune system is also subject to the ageing process. Contagious diseases take hold in us more often and it takes longer for us to recover from these diseases and from exertion.

Growing old is nothing more than a progressive decline in the function of our cells, tissues and organs and therefore a progressive decline in the function of our immune and defence systems and in our regenerative capacity.

The decline in the function of our cells begins around the age of eighteen and influences not only the length of our life, but also the quality of our life.

The intensity and speed of the ageing process in our body depend generally on three groups of factors:

• Hereditary factors, contained in our chromosomes
• External factors, such as diet, smoking, exercise, stress
• The harmful substances produced by the body, the so-called “free radicals”.

Free radicals are produced by our body and are natural waste products. Unfortunately, these free radicals cause a little bit of damage to our cells every day, which in the long term leads to a visible decline in the function of our systems.

Looking at the three groups of factors mentioned above, which determine the ageing process, we can say that with respect to the hereditary factors little can be done as yet, despite considerable research in this field. Depending on our discipline, the external factors can be influenced positively. With respect to the third factor, we can also have an influence. The production of free radicals cannot be prevented, but the free radicals can be neutralized.