Do those with more pep in their step live longer?
What Research Says
Studies show that after age 65, one strong predictor of longevity is walking speed. Those who can still walk at a decent pace after age 75, have an even better chance of living even longer.
An 80-year-old man who clocks 1 mph has a 10% probability of reaching 90, while a woman of the same age walking at that pace has a 23% chance. Now let’s assume this pair is hoofing it a little faster at a speed of 3.5 mph. Now, the 80-year-old man has 84% probability of reaching 90, while a woman would have an 86% chance.
Better Than Happy Pills
If you’re prone to anxiety and depression, exercise is one of the best natural treatments that exists—and it’s free! Exercise activates the same pathways in the brain as morphine and increases the release of endorphins, your natural feel-good neurotransmitters.
A depression study compared the benefits of exercise to those of the prescription drug, Zoloft. After 12 weeks, the exercise proved equally effective as Zoloft in curbing depression. And after 10 months, exercise surpassed the effects of the drug with zero negative side effects! Exercise is not only a fountain of youth but also the closest thing to a happy pill that you will ever find.
Turn Back Your Biological Clock
According to research done at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, individuals with weaker muscles appear to have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and declines in cognitive function over time. Those at the 90th percentile of muscle strength had about a 61 percent reduced risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease compared with those in the 10th percentile.
Exercise improves telomere maintenance by increasing the activity of the enzyme telomerase that builds and repairs telomeres.
What Is a Telomere?
Telomeres are the part of your chromosomes that control aging. They represent your biological clock.
When you are young your telomeres are longer and progressively shorten with age. But the rate at which that shortening occurs is directly influenced by lifestyle choices. So at any age, healthier individuals have longer telomeres than their unhealthy counterparts.
We Can Help
If you or someone you know needs help getting back on track, we would love to speak with you today. Please reach out at 888-288-9834 or schedule a visit.
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