Posted on 01/29/2008 1:43:38 PM PST by blam
Sedentary life 'speeds up ageing'
There is now another good reason for regular exercise, say researchers
Leading a sedentary lifestyle may make us genetically old before our time, a study suggests. A study of twins found those who were physically active during their leisure time appeared biologically younger than their sedentary peers.
The researchers found key pieces of DNA called telomeres shortened more quickly in inactive people. It is thought that could signify faster cellular ageing.
The King's College London study appears in Archives of Internal Medicine.
An active lifestyle has been linked to lower rates of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
However, the latest research suggests that inactivity not only makes people more vulnerable to disease, but may actually speed up the ageing process itself.
The King's team studied 2,401 white twins, asking them to fill out questionnaires on their level of physical activity, and taking a blood sample from which DNA was extracted.
They particularly focused on telomeres, the repeat sequences of DNA that sit on the ends of chromosomes, protecting them from damage.
As people age, their telomeres become shorter, leaving cells more susceptible to damage and death.
Examining white blood cells from the immune system in particular, the researchers found that, on average, telomeres lost 21 component parts - called nucleotides - every year.
But men and women who were less physically active in their leisure time had shorter leukocyte telomeres compared to those who were more active.
The average telomere length in those who took the least amount of exercise - 16 minutes of physical activity a week - was 200 nucleotides shorter than those who took the most exercise - 199 minutes of physical activity a week, such as running, tennis or aerobics.
The most active people had telomeres of a length comparable to those found in inactive people who were up to 10 years' younger, on average.
Direct comparison of twins who had different levels of physical activity produced similar results.
Impact of stress
The researchers suggest that physically inactive people may be more vulnerable to the damage caused to cells by exposure to oxygen, and to inflammation.
Stress is also thought to have an impact on telomere length, and the researchers suggest people who exercise regularly may help to reduce their stress levels.
Writing in the journal, the researchers said: "Our results show that adults who partake in regular physical activity are biologically younger than sedentary individuals.
"This conclusion provides a powerful message that could be used by clinicians to promote the potential anti-ageing effect of regular exercise."
In an accompanying editorial, Dr Jack Guralnik, of the US National Institute on Aging, said more work was needed to show a direct relationship between ageing and physical activity.
He said: "Persons who exercise are different from sedentary persons in many ways, and although certain variables were adjusted for in this analysis, many additional factors could be responsible for the biological differences between active and sedentary persons.
"Nevertheless, this article serves as one of many pieces of evidence that telomere length might be targeted in studying ageing outcomes."
I’m doomed!.................
Guess I should have told my great grandmother to mow her own damned grass.
Nah, I hear a sense of humor keeps you young. ;)
Like they needed to spend research money on this! Ask most any old guy and he’ll tell you about DNA (Dag Nabbit Appendage) shortening.
I’m 22, turning 23 in October, facially I still look 17, as for how old I feel, I feel like I’m about 50.
Fast-forward: Husband is gone. We have taken on responsibility for eldercare. While seemingly cruel, my wife makes her mother do as many things for herself as possible. The results? The woman is healthier than she has been for over a decade. She mows her own yards (self-propelled mower), cleans her own house, cooks her own food, and entertains.
While she still drives me nuts, she is a living testimony to the fact that exercise is good for you. I'm convinced...
Sedentary Lifestyles Associated With Accelerated Aging Process
"Inactivity may diminish life expectancy not only by predisposing to aging-related diseases but also because it may influence the aging process itself," researchers report in the January 28 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.
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I had a 'heart scare' on Christmas Day and ended up in the hospital for five days. My heart function was down to 15%, and after all the testing, the only thing the Docs could figure was that I'd caught a virus at some point that attacked the heart muscle. Thankfully, with the meds, it was back up to 40% before I left the hospital, and I'm thinking it's up to at least 75% now.
I can't wait to see the cardiologist in a couple of weeks, though, because I want to start exercising again. I've got well over 100 lbs. to lose, and ironically, none of the Docs even mentioned my weight as a factor, because there was no underlying heart disease, arterial blockage, etc. But I know I need to lose it, and this is the year to get started on that road!! I'd always resisted Weight Watchers, because I didn't want to go to weigh-ins, etc, so I joined online! I'll keep better track of what I eat, if I have to write it all down! I'd read a thread on FR a couple of months ago that said folks who were not obese tended to live 13 years longer than fat folks. I figured that for every 10 lbs. I lose, I'm potentially adding another year on to my life! Works for me; I'll be around to see some great-grands at that rate!
Good for you SuzyQ.
My son, an only child, has said that he'll not have children.
I wonder if I could rent some grandkids?
I’m sure the mother country’s Brits laughed at Dan Quayle for putting an “e” on the end of potato, but yet they stuff an “e” into the word aging. Go figure!!!
Well, we have four, so the odds are one or two will have some kiddos.
Go for it, you've only to gain quality time for your efforts!
May I point out...
SHE STILL OUTLIVED HIM.
We have a similar situation in our family. My grandfather waited on my grandmother who didn't do a darn thing for herself if she could help it.
Guess who got cancer and died first? You got it. Grandpa. The hard-working fellow packed it in before the sloth.
I broke my back when I was a kid and (although I can walk) it's slowed me down quite a bit. My husband is a work horse and assumes that he'll outlive me.
I think he probably will, but I don't count on it. Life is not fair. *That* I have figured out.
Yes, but in this case is was a car accident that took him out. I have seen the “weaker ones” in a family outlive the caregivers. You can find exceptions to all expectations I guess...
Honestly, I suspect that the stress of caring for a demanding person can shorten a life even more than being overweight and lazy.
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