All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The cause of early aging has been discovered
Last reviewed: 02.07.2025
A number of scientific studies have allowed experts to conclude that insufficient physical activity leads to faster aging of cells at the genetic level.
Over a long period of time, the activity and health of 1,500 American women aged 64-95 years were monitored.
"Our experiments prove that cellular structures are more susceptible to age-related changes if a person is not physically active enough and prefers to lead a sedentary lifestyle. A person's real age does not always coincide with his biological age, and very often one can observe accelerated aging of the body, which has nothing to do with the actual number of years," - such a commentary by American scientific specialist A. Shadiyab can be read in the periodical American Journal of Epidemiology.
The scientists' discovery was that the so-called telomeres (the ends of chromosomes that are of great importance in the process of cell division, as they ensure the stability of the genome) change and shorten depending on a person's psychological state and age. However, scientists have now discovered that the state of telomeres is also affected by lifestyle. Thus, women who lead a predominantly passive life, spending 11-12 hours a day in one place, had significantly shorter telomere lengths than women of the same age, but with a more active lifestyle. In this case, an active lifestyle means short morning exercises and daily walks.
In the genetic series, the first category of subjects was 9 years older than the women from the second category.
What conclusions were the experts able to draw?
In order for the terminal elements of chromosomes to have the same length as those of healthy and physically active people, it is only necessary to practice simple gymnastic exercises for about half an hour daily.
In addition to the fact that physical inactivity contributes to rapid aging of the body, it often becomes the cause of a large number of diseases, which include degenerative changes in the nervous system and brain, malignant tumors, disorders of the musculoskeletal system and other pathologies.
Of course, age-related changes in the body cannot be avoided, but their appearance should not be accelerated either. As previously determined by American experts, the aging process of the human body begins at the age of 39. In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, the acceleration of aging can be facilitated by:
- regular consumption of sweets, including healthy dark chocolate;
- obesity and slow metabolism;
- overeating (especially regular);
- nervous stress and subsequent "eating away" of it;
- skipping meals (especially morning meals), eating dry food and in a hurry.
Scientists have drawn conclusions from the studies they have conducted, and they suggest that you do the same: you need to make changes to your lifestyle and eating habits, since your priority is your excellent health and great appearance.