Vigorous Exercise Reduces Cell Aging by 9 Years

Vigorous exercise can reduce aging at the cellular level by nine years, a new study claims.


"Just because you're 40, doesn't mean you're 40 years old biologically," said Brigham Young University exercise science professor Larry Tucker. "We all know people that seem younger than their actual age. The more physically active we are, the less biological aging takes place in our bodies."

The study, which was published in the journal Preventive Medicine, found that people who have “consistently high levels of physical activity” have younger cells as measured through the length of telomeres.

Telomeres are “protein endcaps of our chromosomes,” which shorten as we age because each time a cell replicates, they shorten a tiny bit. Exercise appears to stave this off.

Tucker said adults with higher levels of exercise have telomeres that are nine years “younger” than people who don’t exercise and seven years younger than those who exercise moderately.

In order to count as highly active, women have to jog 30 minutes five times a week, while men need to jog for 40 minutes.

"If you want to see a real difference in slowing your biological aging, it appears that a little exercise won't cut it," Tucker said. "You have to work out regularly at high levels."
 [voanews.com]
11-12/5/17