Anti Aging Exercise:
Takes Off the Pounds And The Wrinkles

You have a hectic life. Work, errands, cleaning, children, pets, cooking and so much more; really, who has time to exercise? Recently you’ve started noticing your body aching more frequently and lines starting to take a permanent residence on your face. You’ve blamed them on stress, but could it also have to do with your lack of exercise? A recent study conducted by a professor and his colleagues at King’s College in London states that anti aging and exercise could possibly be linked.

The research involved 2400 twins from Britain who were studied for 10 years to see if physical activity had an anti aging affect. Exercise did prove to be a factor. The professor, Tim D. Spector, and his colleagues looked at the telomeres found inside cells. Telomeres seal the end of the chromosomes, which are the structures that carry genes. When the cells divide, the telomeres get shorter and it is thought that cells die once they reach the end of their telomeres. This “death” is linked to a weakening of the muscles, skin wrinkles, organ failure and more. When the twins were tested, it was found that the twin who was active 100 minutes a week had telomeres that looked like they belonged to someone six years younger than those of the twin who was active only 16 minutes a week.

Although some scientists did see anti aging possibilities in exercise regimes, others weren’t completely convinced. Some thought that there are other differences between those who are active and those who aren’t, and these differences could also contribute to longevity: smoking, sickness and obesity. Still, Spector says he took those factors into consideration and none had any bearing on the anti aging and exercise study. Spector said that he hoped the study would encourage people to be more active since anti aging and exercise seem to be connected. He believes frequent exercise helps people feel and look younger, longer.