A study by scientists at Aston University in the U.K. published in „AGE – The Official Journal of the American Aging Association“ suggests that aging healthy is closely connected to the irisin levels of the body. Irisin is a newly described hormone released from skeletal muscles after exercise. Since the aging process is strongly influenced by nutrient balance, such that modest calorie restriction (CR) extends lifespan in mammals irisin may induce CR-like effects by increasing adipose tissue energy expenditure. In their study the researchers learned that participants with high irisin levels – in other words, those who practiced regular exercise – tended to have longer telomeres. That means that they were aging more healthily, and with lower risk of age-related diseases, than participants with lower levels of the hormone. Maintaining an active lifestyle, of course, has already been linked to longevity, but according to lead researcher James Brown, this study is noteworthy because it’s the first clear molecular connection between the two. Until the discovery of irisin, per the study, the molecular mechanisms underlying exercise’s benefits had remained “elusive.” Find the link to the study in the comments section below.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 16:00:39 +0000
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