Saturday, November 6, 2010

Exercise and Aging


You Can Slow Aging


By Running 3 Days a Week or walking 15 to 20 minutes per day!

Exercise and Aging
Studies have shown that you may be able to slow aging by exercising to the point of sweating and raising your heart rate. For example running training for 30 to 40 minutes, 3 days/week or going for a nice brisk walk 15 to 20 minutes/day. For all of us and especially exercises for seniors this is great information, so we can live longer and healthier lives.

Lets find out why...



Scientific Studies On Age and Exercise
In 2009 scientists Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak won the noble prize for one of their discoveries on how chromosomes are protected against degradation. Sounds like weird science, but it's actually more interesting than you think.

 Imagine having control of your own aging!


We have DNA in our chromosomes and our DNA tells our body when to age. On the ends of our chromosomes we have a DNA that if it stays active can halt the deterioration of overstressed  DNA and even reverse aging.

This is where the science comes in.

We have DNA running all through our body and our chromosomes package our DNA. Chromosomes are an organized structure of DNA made into strands, these strands have a protective cap on them called telomere. (pronounced teel-o-mere)When the telomere wears off our chromosomes fray and then shorten and then we age, this is the portion of DNA that controls the life span of our cells.

Stress Aggravates the Telomere
Stress is the biggest zapper at attacking the telomeres, stress tears away at you literally from the inside out and accelerates the process of cell degeneration. These scientists have discovered a way to slow down the breaking down of the telomere by vigorous exercise!

How cool is that! Another great reason to get off you butt and run, run, run!  Physical exercise really is good for us, so should run forever!

If you want to see the science look at this!
Note the red tips, these are the telomeres.
The purple part is the chromosomes which are made of DNA.

 Here is an example:
Imagine having some cool shoelaces, but the caps fall off and your shoelace starts to fray...This is exactly what happens to an unhappy chromosome!

Telomerase
Telomere is the cap on the end of our DNA strand and is made of a super strong enzyme called, telomerase which helps prevent the chromosome from breaking down and shortening. The length of our chromosomes will determine our rate of aging.

Exercise and Aging is the next best thing to looking and feeling young!

Why?
Because it keeps stress away from the teleomeres. Studies have shown that when groups of active and inactive people exercised both groups ended up with longer chromosomes. The next group that didn't do any exercise had considerably shorter chromosomes. The groups that exercised whether they knew it or not were able to vent and let the stress out.

You can beat aging by running 3 days a week!
Our bodies need to be relieved from stress, even though stress may not be the only factor in our aging. stress is a big one! Stress erases the bodies natural defenses and the results are premature wrinkles, slow metabolism, diseases and a whole host of other problems.
Some of the things stress and age will cause:
  • premature wrinkles
  • bone degeneration (bone density)
  • muscle degeneration (muscle tone)
  • inflexibility in joints
  • weight problems
  • cardiovascular and respiratory problems
  • diseases (cancer, diabetes, etc.)
  • diseases of the eye(vision loss)
  •  blood pressure problems
It's time to do something about it!


Protect yourself by embarking in a stress management program!
 Exercise to a good sweat and increase your heart rate by  running, run/walking or any other vigorous exercise! Do this at least 3 days/week for 30 to 45 minutes a day! Mix it up with the, Learn to Run program and The couch to 5K and you will reverse some signs of aging and maintain great health.

Keep reading my Beginners Training, Learn to Run Program Newsletters for tips and motivation!

The impact of exercise on your telomere length is immense,  your cells get to live longer, so do you!

Other great additions to an exercise program are, strength training and meditating to relax and vent.
Protect your body and keep your youth by learning to run or just getting active!
Related Articles
Exercise and Telomere Length
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32 comments:

  1. I've always believed in exercising. It not only makes you feel better but you also live longer because of it. I'm glad to see more and more people are starting to take care of their health. Thanks for the great post!

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    1. It's good to see that people are really getting out there and exercising.Thank you Nate :)

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  2. Awesome post! We can control so much more than what we thought in the past. Just by some movement (not necessarily a marathon, but SOME movement) we can assist our bodies in staying healthy.

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    1. Thank you Lynn, yes moving is necessary even if it's walking to stay healthy.

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  3. We walk at the end of the day. It definitely erases stress and helps us sleep better and stay fit.

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    1. So true, the end of the day is a great time to relieve stress :)

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  4. Incredible article. I knew this as common sense, but never was aware of the science behind how stress ages us. Thanks much for the awareness!

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    1. Don I'm really Being aware is the first start to getting yourself out of that stress zone.

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  5. That is how i run.. I start off slow, raise it up, then repeat a few times.. I get the nice sweet going and then i can move on..

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    1. Robert, that's the way to do it! Awesome that you're getting out there!

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  6. Heard all about the telomeres before. You are telling the truth. Now, who knew running had an effect? Great post!

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    1. Thanks Norma, yes running is a great sport for keeping your youth!

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  7. Yes! We can beat aging by exercising and eating well, of course. What a wonderful, informative post and it is so inspiring! Thank you, Gilly! You are right on with everything! :)

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    1. Thanks Alexandra, I'm really glad I've inspired you!

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  8. I'm feeling inspired thanks to your article. Now if only I wasn't snowbound...

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    1. Your welcome! The snow this year has been incredible and can really get in the way of running or walking sometimes!

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  9. Fantastic information here, Gilly:) Thanks so much for sharing....learned a few things :)

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    1. Thank you Joan, I'm a teacher at heart so it feels good to know people are learning from what I've written.

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  10. I finally grasped this when you used the analogy of a shoelace. I was never into exercise and I know its good for us. Just cant get motivated even if it can extend my life. With that said, love reading your blogs and who knows the impact it will have on me.

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    1. Roslyn once the weather gets nice and can see you getting out and walking :) I want to have that affect on you!

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  11. This was interesting, and I learned something I didn't know. Thanks for the information Gilly!

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  12. i always wanted to do this thanks for sharing!

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    1. Jessica maybe some day you'll start. Start walking for a month and see what happens...

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  13. i hate exercising but I know I should not. Especially if i want slow my aging. lol no wonder i get out of breath after going up 10 steps...I also read somewhere that when you exercise and get your heart pumping, it helps with sinus allergies.

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    1. I'm not sure about the sinus allergies, sounds interesting. Exercise is fun if you find the sport you like because the rewards out way!!

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  14. You had me at "slow aging". Thanks for sharing these great ideas...Now to put them into practice

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    1. Way to go Veronica, I'm glad you thinking about getting there!

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  15. Great post! The link between inactivity and poor health/disease/fast aging makes me want to push harder at working out! Thanks for the great info Gilly!

    -Elisa, Sammy's Fabulous Jewelry

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  16. For many years, I've walked an hour a day, at least six days a week. When something comes up, like healing from ACL surgery where I have to stop for awhile, I can tell immediately in so many different ways. I continue to believe that much of the "accelerated aging" is somehow reversible. I'll let you know, as I've just come off another of those inevitable breaks ...

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  17. Gilly, here is the comment I tried to make: Great information about anti-aging. Exercise is absolutely critical to slowing down the aging process. As you know I focus on nutrition but it is only one facet of the anti-aging process. The information about the DNA was very fascinating. The diagrams helped me understand how it works. Thanks for a great informative article. BYW, I am 70 years old and still exercise regularly.. it's important. http://bestrealhealth.com/

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    1. Thanks so much for the comment Pat, I'm glad you understood! Diagrams do help to get the message across. You are 70 years young!

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