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If you needed another reason to shake your money-maker more often, new research suggests that physical activity may influence aging. People who are physically active during their leisure time appear biologically younger than those with sedentary lifestyles, according to a report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine
Regular exercisers have lower rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, high blood pressure, obesity, and osteoporosis, according to background information in the article. Couch potatoes, however, can expect a bumpier ride, authors say:
A sedentary lifestyle increases the propensity to aging-related disease and premature death. Inactivity may diminish life expectancy not only by predisposing to aging-related diseases but also because it may influence the aging process itself.
To reach their conclusions, researchers from King's College London examined the physical activity level, smoking habits, and socioeconomic status of 2,401 white twins, as well as DNA extracted from their blood samples. The participants who were more physically active had longer telomeres-repeated sequences at the end of chromosomes-in their white blood cells, or leukocytes. Because leukocyte telomeres progressively shorten over time, they may serve as a marker of biological age.
After adjusting for body mass index, smoking, socioeconomic status, and physical activity at work, the authors surmised that the most-active individuals (3 hours and 19 minutes of physical activity per week) were, on average, up to 10 years younger than the least-active individuals (16 minutes of physical activity per week). A comparison of pairs of twins, where one twin was more or less active than his or her sibling, yielded similar results.
So who's the culprit behind all this telomeric shortening? Oxidative stress-damage caused to cells by exposure to oxygen-and inflammation are likely to blame, say authors. Perceived stress levels have also been linked to telomere length, so it makes sense that exercise, which reduces psychological stress levels, has potential anti-aging effects. In other words, if you're finding it hard to get motivated and up and at 'em, think of the telomeres. After all, someone has to.
::Archives of Internal Medicine
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