Fountain Of Youth
We all probably would like to stay as young as we can for as long as can. Everyone would love to have a fountain of youth, and recent research suggests that it’s closer than you think.
There are areas of your cells’ DNA called telomeres that tell the cell when to replicate. The problem is that every time a cell divides, some of the telomeres are used up–we have only so many times that a cell can divide before it’s done. In a study of twins published this year, researchers found that telomere length was tied to physical activity. The more active the person was, the longer the telomeres, so the longer the cells can keep dividing–thus keeping you younger.
What does that mean for you? You don’t have to run marathons or lift mountains every day. All you have to do is move–yard work, dancing, walking, jogging, swimming. If it involves movement, it counts.
You have access to the real fountain of youth. What are you waiting for? Get off it and get after it, people.
August 15 2008 07:25 pm | Fitness