You can see why the cellular repair process is so important. Surprisingly, despite major advances in cell biology, we still know precious little about how cells heal themselves. The extreme complexity of the process has baffled some of the most brilliant minds of our time. Fortunately, we do know a great deal about how to stimulate cellular repair, and how to protect cells from becoming damaged in the first place. The chapters that follow examine these strategies in great detail, explaining why each is important and outlining specific actions you can take to maximize your chances of leading the longest life possible.
Modern science offers a number of theories.
Program theories suggest that human genes are precoded for a specific age of death. Damage theories contend that cumulative wear and tear determines the age of death. Both program and damage theorists agree that a human's genetically programmed maximum life expectancy is about 120 years. Most of us fall far short of that mark because we fail to take steps to prevent or repair the cumulative cellular damage that can occur over the course of a lifetime. Cumulative cellular damage, especially after age 30, accelerates aging.