Dr. Lam Author of
|
|
|
|
Exercise To Slow Down Aging
New research studies show that vigorous exercising for as little as 14 minutes, 3 days a week, can decrease cell aging. The stress placed on the cell telomeres is reduced with these short bursts of activity. The exercise affects the DNA telomeres, which are the molecular shoelaces that hold everything together to keep genes and chromosomes stable.
Telomeres, located on the ends of the chromosomes, tend to shorten over time with stress. This shortening is thought to increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and death. Exercise seems to be able to prevent this shortening process significantly.
The study consisted of 62 postmenopausal women who took note of the amount of vigorous physical exercise they did daily over 3 days. The exercise had to increase heart rate or induce sweating. Data of stress feeling and blood samples were taken to determine telomere length. Results showed that women who experienced high amounts of stress and were “active” did not have shorter telomeres, while similarly stressed women who were “inactive” did. Researchers recommend for everybody to exercise regularly to protect cells and telomeres to slow down the aging process.
Source: PLoS ONE, news release, May 26, 2010
What is Aging?
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
