Millions of years ago the human body stressed about one thing, staying alive. Today we stress about everything from getting ready in the morning, to driving home at night, to making dinner and finally getting ourselves into bed on time. Stress is among the biggest enemies attacking our cells and leaving our bodies tattered until we literally are withering away inside and out.
You can see markings of a stressful year on the rungs of an old cut down tree. We show similar dynamic markings of stress, deep down in the tiny molecules of our cells. The good, the bad and the ugly and how we’ve dealt with stress is something we need to pay attention to. Stress stimulates a process of cell degeneration and this is why scientists are studying our aging cells and exploring what to do about it..
Here are some of the signs due to stress:
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premature wrinkles
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bone degeneration (bone density)
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muscle degeneration (muscle tone)
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inflexibility in joints
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weight problems
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cardiovascular and respiratory problems
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diseases (cancer, diabetes, etc.)
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diseases of the eye (vision loss)
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blood pressure problems
Let’s take a look at what the Scientists are saying…
Elizabeth H. Blackburn, Carol W. Greider and Jack W. Szostak are scientists who studied The Science of Aging Cells and Exercise in 1986 and won a Nobel prize for their presentation in 2009. They discovered chromosomes protect us against premature aging if you engage in a consistent active lifestyle.
Here’s the science…
DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid is our self-replicating material in our body’s cells via chromosomes which carry our genetic information. Chromosomes live in your cells and harbour our DNA. These chromosomes can be damaged and cause changes in our DNA. When we are young these chromosomes have active and healthy looking DNA, but as we age, the DNA snapshot isn’t so nice. Their findings were if you’ve lived a stressful life and have done nothing about, it will show in deterioration of the DNA. You can relax, because activating DNA with exercise will halt and even reverse some signs of aging.
Scientists are saying we can stave off aging by protecting those cells from breaking down – by exercising regularly.
This is cool science!
A chromosome sturdy package of DNA protects our cells.
This beautifully organized structure of strands have a very valuable protective cap called the Telomere, pronounced, (teel-o-mere). It’s kind of like the plastic shoelace ends on your shoelaces that helps to stop them from falling apart. Telomeres are made of pieces of DNA enzymes called Telomerase which shield the chromosome and prevent it from unraveling, hence shortening. Having the Telomere shorten causes fraying and exposes the chromosome to damage.
The length of the chromosomes determines our rate of aging.
Since stress exasperates this structure and causes deterioration of the chromosome, this leads to premature aging. When the Telomere shortens, the cells can’t grow and divide anymore, so they lose their function. The length of our Telomere determines our rate of aging, hence the shorter our Telomeres the earlier we will age. Premature Exercise and Aging
The purple Chromosomes showing very healthy red Telomeres. 
Here’s a look of how these chromosomes are organized in our cells.
The Study!
The study done with three groups of people; one group was an active group that stayed active, the other was an inactive group that exercised, and the third group was inactive and never exercised.
The results!
The active groups didn’t just have longer Telomere, but considerably longer Telomere! These groups whether they knew it or not were able to vent and let stress out by being active and exercising.
Look and feel younger just by exercising!
Yes we can slow down aging and keep some of our youth by exercising and walking briskly daily or by doing a strenuous aerobic activity 3 days a week and working off all that stress
Now you too can do something about it!
Age is just a number, so turn your life around and get active! All it takes is 3 days/week for 30 to 45 minutes running or run/walking or 20 minutes walking per day! Reverse signs of aging, maintain great health and join me learning to run using the run/walk method.
*Walking and running are excellent programs to keep stress away and can be done at any age!*
Sign up for my free email updates at RunningMySpace for tips and motivation! ~ It’s a Beginners Running Program.
Articles Source:
Gill Fisher is Ultra Marathoner, a passionate runner, a motivator and coach for new runners.
She has an informative running blog at Runningmy.com
Connect with Gill on her Blog at RunningMySpace
Join in the conversation on Facebook
We welcome Gill Fisher as a guest blogger for Best Real Health! In the comment section below, let Gill know how you deal with stress and how exercise fits into your life.
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Galatians 5:22-23 – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
(All information on this blog site is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information on this site has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.)
Copyright© 2014 Pat Moon – All Rights Reserved!
{ 32 comments… read them below or add one }
Great post, Gilly! After a long hard winter, I know that I need to get back to a consistent excercise routine. Thank you for the inspiration!
Yes, Robin, Gilly’s inspiration is so good after a long hard winter! Get out & run or at least get up & move!
Have a pleasant Spring! Is it here for you?
Pat
Great post! This certainly gives us good cause to pull regular exercise into our routines. Thanks.
Thank you Dawn! It's a cause that runs deep 😀
Hi Dawn,
Exercise should be a member of our lifestyle and routine. Do you exercise on a regular basis?
Keep moving to keep your youth!
Pat
I am really glad I work out! You have given me the motivation to never stop! The other thing I notice is when people smoke, that really ages them. You can see it in their faces and hear it in the sound of their voice.
Absolutely, i see this all the time too. the wonderful part is when they've pulled quit smoking and start exercising. Amazing changes inside and out are taking place. I'm glad I've motivated you Ana! 😀
Hi Ana Maria,
You are so right about smoking aging people. Recently I went to the memorial service of a 94 year old lady from my hometown. My best girl friend also was there plus a couple other friends we graduated with. My girl friend and I were discussing the aging process. We are both 70 years old. One of our other friends that was there is the same age but she looks and moves like she is at least 20 to 25 years older than we look and act. One of the main differences in both her looks and health is that she has smoked heavy since during highschool… That is at least 55 years of smoking. She has many health problems including cancer. It is so very sad that she is not healthy enough to enjoy her senior years. You mentioned voice. She used to sing beautifully when we were in school together.. now she can hardly speak, let alone sing.
Keep your motivation to work out and be healthy!
Pat
Great post!!! Thanks so much for sharing on this very important subject, I learned something thank you Gilly!!!!
I'm glad you learned something new Joan, thank you 😀
Hi Joan,
Thanks for visiting and reading Gilly’s guest blog. She did an excellent job of giving us some very important information about exercise and the aging process.
Be healthy!
Pat
Confession time, I have never exercised nor did I or do I want to. That being said, I cannot ignore all the facts, encouragement and wisdom presented by Gill, Pat and others. So, I am doing simple stretches daily, walking a bit more than before and am pleased I got started. Fortunately, I don't have much stress and tend to deal well with it when it shows up. I sllep well and eat well and am aging well.
Roslyn you sound like you are living life full and happy, you are doing whay you love 😀 Great job! Stretches and walkin are great exercises, stay with it!
Hi Roslyn,
Confession time for me as well! I have really never been that excited about exercising. However, I do have to admit it does feel good to exercise once I get started so I have to have strong will-power to exercise on a regular basis. I’m not really the atheletic type. I just know it is necessary to have overall good health. I’m glad you are not ignoring the facts and are doing some exercise.
Stay healthy!
Pat
I plan to age gracefully without going to extreme measures. I decided that I won't let stress show on my face
That's the way to do it Veronica!
Hi Veronica,
What is your plan to age gracefully? Let us know!
Be young!
Pat
I love walking and use it to de-stress. I always believe that it's essential to have a good night's sleep plus eating well.
Diana glad you love walking, it's such a nice habit to be a part of when needing to destress 😀
Hi Diana,
Yes, regular exercise like walking is great to de-stress. And, of course eating well adds to the benefits you receive from the walking. It’s too bad more people do not look to exercise and a healthy diet to get a good night’s sleep instead of some type of sleeping aid.
Rest well!
Pat
I definitely agree that exercising regularly help you not only look younger, but feel younger as well. It gives you more energy! Great post!
Thank you KungPoo! Yes exercising in the long run is very revitalizing!
Hi Robert (Kungphoo),
What is your exercise of choice? Just curious!
Be young & healthy!
Pat
I powerwalk an hour a day, every day, taking an occasional Sunday off just so I know what day of the week it is. 😉 I credit all the walking with helping me get through stressful periods where my business projects weight down on me. I'm so glad to see I'm doing at least something right to keep age a bit at bay!
Way to go Sharon, you've got a great routine! Walking is very thareputic and one of the easiest ways to take off stress 😀
Hi Sharon,
Yes, you are doing an amazing job of slowing the results of aging. That regular exercise of powerwalking is a great stress reliever. We all need to have a way of relieving the stress in a healthy manner. Of course, my choice is T-Tapp. It works well for me. Gilly is an expert at running. We all need to have that regular exercise.
I also always take Sunday’s off.. it is a special day!
Pat
Great guest post! I've been exercising for the past 10 years on a regular basis. I know there are benefits for staying in shape and having great health. Thanks for the wonderful reminders!
Thank you Nate, awesome staying with exercise! It's tough for a lot of people to stay active consistently 😀
Hi Nate,
Good for you! What type of exercise have you been doing for the past 10 years? By now, it must be a part of your every day life. What’s your secret in sticking with it?
Stay in shape and have great health!
Pat
Such an uplifting post! Health is important and knowing that there are things we can do to improve our well being, is great! I know stress is bad, really bad and from personal experience, what has helped me, is exercising, walking and/or relaxing in a hot bath with Epsom salts and essential oils. Thanks for sharing this post with Gilly as your guest.
Alexandra I'm glad you loved this post! Epsom salts sound relaxing, I'll have to try this 😀
Hi Alexandra,
Yes, stress is bad but learning to deal with it in a healthy manner is so freeing. I feel so fortunate that Gilly agreed to be a guest blogger for me. She is a delight.
Best of health!
Pat