Exercising More, Aging Less & Enjoying Life More!
Regular exercising, even initiated late in life, can help slow down the aging process. Inside all of our cells are fragments of DNA called telomeres – which basically help cells stay healthy. New research has demonstrated that aerobic exercise can help lengthen the life of those important pieces of DNA.
Telomeres are strands of DNA at the ends of your chromosomes that protect them from damage. The progressive and gradual erosion of telomeres leads to aging on a cellular level — think of them as a kind of biological clock. In fact it may be the most accurate biological clock we have. Once your telomeres drop below a certain level you simply die of “natural” causes.
As telomeres shorten more, cell death occurs. These cell deaths are associated with serious disease and premature aging. The leading anti-aging research is on how to prevent telomere shortening and develop therapies to lengthen telomeres, as many experts believe that lengthening telomeres could actually turn the biological clock backward.
However, exercise has been associated with preventing telomere shortening, so it is clearly a very powerful anti-aging strategy. A recent study in “Circulation” (a journal published by the American Heart Association) observed the makeup of telomeres in four groups of people:
- Healthy young non-exercising participants (average age 20)
- Middle aged non-active individuals (average age 50 years)
- Young professional athletes (average 45 miles running per week)
- Middle-aged athletes who had been active since adolescence (average 50 miles running per week).
Data that was obtained from 100 subjects showed that the group of older individuals who had exercised regularly since childhood had less erosion of their telomeres compared to non-active individuals of the same age.The older exercising group also had telomeres that were closer in length to both younger groups. These findings suggest that regular cardiovascular exercise may be protective against the degradation of telomeres despite the natural effects of aging.
So you’ll be less likely to suffer from chronic disease or disability, and more likely to be fit and trim, agile, mobile and happy, even as you get older … and isn’t that really what it’s all about?
The latest research is showing that by exercising even moderate amounts you can trigger processes in your brain that activate the division of stem cells and promote neurogenesis (the production of new brain cells).
Maybe modern science is finally catching up with wisdom of the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, who once said that “lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it.”
It’s hard to stop talking about the virtues of exercise because there are just so many of them. For instance, exercise improves the circulation of immune cells in your blood. The better these cells circulate, the more efficient your immune system is at locating and defending against viruses and diseases trying to attack your body.
In fact, when researchers measured the biochemical changes that occur during exercise, they found alterations in more than 20 different metabolites.. Some of these compounds help you burn calories and fat while others help stabilize your blood sugar, among other things.It is recommended that all adults get a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, five days per week. Some examples that can be done outside include: jogging, running, cycling, swimming and cross-country skiing.
Exercise that can be done indoors includes: treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, stair climbers and rowing machines.
Want to know more about exercising? Then, put your question here.
Yours truly for great health, mind and body,
Michelle, natural health advocate
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July 27 2010 04:47 pm | Fitness and Green Living and Healthy Eating and Natural Beauty and Natural Remedies and Weight Loss