What exercise and nutrition and aging gracefully have in common

If someone could point out two things that you could do to age gracefully (and slower too,) would you consider giving it a try?

According to a review published in the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) Internal Medicine in 2008, exercise can slow down aging by affecting the DNA in specific tell-tale cells (leukocytes.) In short, as we age, chromosomes get shorter; this attrition is a natural process that can be slowed down with – you guessed it! – regular exercise!

As we age, our metabolic and physiological processes slow down and as they do, our overall capacity to perform certain functions decreases. Yet regular exercise, something as simple as 30 minutes a day of regular exercise, at least five days a week, can make you look and feel younger.

Aging slowly has been the focus of many a research laboratory around the world. While it cannot be stopped to a halt, the aging process can be controlled not only with exercise but with proper nutrition also.

A review published in 2007 in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that as we age, we can reduce the risk of certain cancers (breast, prostate, colon, endometrial,) and the risk of cardiovascular disease by controlling what we eat and by maintaining a healthy weight.

Both weight gain and weight loss can decrease life expectancy, the study points out.

Obesity increases the risk of type 2 diabetes, it can cause high blood pressure and thus increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Being obese causes respiratory discomfort and worsens the effects of osteoarthritis.

Being too thin, on the other hand, it is not healthy either as it could be a sign chronic yet-to-be-detected disease, it can increase the risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

How to keep things in balance then? Simple: by limiting the amount of saturated fats as much as possible, consuming of high quality protein, adding soluble and insoluble fiber as well as replacing simple sugars with complex carbohydrates.

The two things, regular exercise and proper nutrition, do not require more than getting out the door and cooking meals with wholesome ingredients.

The benefits are immense and long-term. If nothing else, it costs nothing to try, other than half an hour of day (bring a friend along,) and some colorful meals to try out (wholesome never hurt anyone after all.)

As for a much needed extra benefit, here’s something else exercise helps your body with: regular exercise decreases the levels of inflammation in the body and helps the immune system cells perform better over a longer period of time.

Ready to start today?