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Does aging occur faster in sedentary individuals?

Research shows those with a more active lifestyle, including regular exercise, seem to be biologically younger. Researchers from a Kings College study, on over two thousand twins, found DNA pieces known as telomeres were much shorter in sedentary individuals. Researches believe that shorter telomeres may be linked to faster aging. In fact, the study findings indicate that most active individuals had telomere length that was comparable to the telomere length of inactive individuals who were a decade younger.

What does all this mean? Individuals who are active are less vulnerable to cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. Study results seem to indicate that individuals with an active lifestyle do not age as fast as sedentary individuals. In fact, study results pointed to a quicker aging process for inactive individuals. The Kings College study proves that adults with a regular exercise program are biologically younger than sedentary adults.

However, not all physicians are sure of a direct link between a regular exercise and an anti-aging effect. Dr. Jack Gurainik, of the National Institute of Aging, believes that more research will be needed to prove a direct correlation between regular exercise and aging. He went on to suggest that there are other biological factors that may explain the differences found between active and inactive study participants.

So while the medical profession does more research to reach an agreement on the exact effect exercise has on aging, all medical professionals seem to agree that regular exercise and healthy diet are important to overall health.