Exercise Slows the Aging Process, Counteracting Unhealthy Diets

You probably knew that exercise was good for your health, but did you know that it could also slow the aging process? Scientists have found that exercise can counteract the fast aging process associated with unhealthy lifestyle habits.

Overeating and inactivity can actually speed up the aging process, right down to our cells. At the end of a cell's lifespan, a process called senescence kicks in; the cells lose the ability to divide and begin to secrete substances that damage the surrounding cells.

In order to see how exercise might impact this process, the researchers compared mice fed a fast food diet for five months with those fed a standard diet. The mice that were fed fast food developed insulin sensitivity, impaired glucose tolerance, impaired exercise ability and heart dysfunction. Yet when these mice were given a running wheel, the exercise began to counteract the effects of a poor diet. Improvements included body weight, metabolism and cardiac function.

"Our data clearly shows that poor nutritional choices dramatically accelerate the accumulation of senescent cells, and for the first time, that exercise can prevent or delay this fundamental process of aging," wrote the authors in a news release. "Despite the need to better understand the role of cellular senescence in aging and disease, our data underscore the profound impact of lifestyle choices on health and successful aging."

The findings reveal that lifestyle choices have a huge role when it comes to aging. By eating healthy and exercising, a person can potentially extend their life. Next time you're debating whether or not to go for a run, go ahead and step outside; you may be helping counteract an unhealthy diet and improving your general well-being.