# What Is It That Kills Us? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 28, 2009, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-kills-us/507986 "2009-08-28T01:32:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ToeJam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@ToeJam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ToeJam)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2009, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-kills-us/507986/21 "2009-08-29T19:21:43Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > I am unaware of any data showing that our DNA repair mechanisms degenerate as we age. That said, it wouldn’t surprise me that some degeneration occurs. I am much, much more skeptical of the claim that less efficient repair contributes significantly to death mechanisms. Well, it certainly doesn’t help, and it can lead to the accumulation of defects such as cancer and natural signs of aging in the body. It’s not exactly what kills us INSTANTLY before death, but it’s something that tends to arise, and leads to long term issues and complications that will lead to death over time. [Telomere Shortening](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telomere#Telomere_shortening) [DNA Repair and Aging](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_repair#DNA_repair_and_aging) ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-kills-us/507986/22 "2009-09-06T21:58:11Z")
Before this thread reachs Zombie status, I thought I would note [this article](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/research-could-prevent-effects-of-stroke/article1277922/) (summarizing a paper published in **Nature Neuroscience** ) which may be of some interest and relevance. Basically, it provides further proof that for cell death to occur, there are specific biochemical processes which must be effected. ---
**Author:** ![Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/le_ministre_de_l_au-dela/32/12181_2.png) [@Le\_Ministre\_de\_l\_au-dela](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Le_Ministre_de_l_au-dela)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-kills-us/507986/23 "2009-09-06T22:06:10Z")
Rather than attempt a summation, may I simply recommend [How We Die](http://www.mcnallyrobinson.com/product/isbn/9780679742449/bkm/true/) by Sherwin B. Nuland? Each chapter details the specifics of how various diseases, traumas or syndromes cause death. Warning - not for hypocondriacs of any kind!!! ---
**Author:** ![Honesty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/f04885/32.png) [@Honesty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Honesty)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2009, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-kills-us/507986/24 "2009-09-06T22:43:58Z")
> [@Clovernook](#): > > So, what is it that kills us? Is it ultimately the same mechanisms, regardless of the disease? Believe it or not, it’s oxygen. It’s a double-eged sword. Oxygen is a great chelator of electrons that can be used to harness energy in the form of adenosine triphophate. It is this formation of ATP that allows each individual cell in your body to perform all the metabolic reactions that are essential for life. Reactions with oxygen generates oxygen atoms with unpaired electrons (radicals) that change nucleotide bases and can even break DNA strands :eek:. They peroxidize lipids and irreversibly modify proteins and other molecules. Oxygen gives you life but also death. See ya in the casket. 😛 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-that-kills-us/507986.md?page=1)