Exercise: The Fountain of Youth?
January 31, 2008
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- There is good news for those who enjoy walking their dog or doing other calorie-burning activities in their free time. Scientists now say the bodies of those who stay active are actually biologically younger than those who prefer sitting on the couch, watching television.
Exercising regularly can reduce a number of health risks, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis and even cancer. But scientists believe your level of activity may have a stronger link to aging than just preventing disease. “Inactivity may diminish life expectancy not only by predisposing to aging-related diseases but also because it may influence the aging process itself,” study authors were quoted as saying.
Researchers at King’s College London in the United Kingdom examined the effect exercise has on the length of telomeres -- sequences located at the end of the chromosomes in white blood cells. Scientists say telomeres may serve as a marker of biological age by progressively shortening over time.
In a study examining the physical activity level, smoking habits, socioeconomic status, and DNA of 2,401 white twins, researchers found those who are less physically active in their leisure time have shorter telomeres compared to those who are more active. “The most active subjects had telomeres the same length as sedentary individuals up to ten years younger, on average,” study authors said.
Doctors recommend exercising at least 30 minutes a day, five days a week to stay healthy. Scientists believe physical activity may reduce the psychological stress that could cause telomeres to shorten.
SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine 2008;168:154-158