Older women with too little physical activity and at least 10 hours of sitting per day have cells that are on average 8 years older than cells of their peers who do not lead such a sedentary life. All this was discovered by scientists at the University of San Diego. The study they made was conducted on 1,500 women aged 64 to 95, and published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
We already knew that too much time spent sitting increases the risk of various diseases and slows down the metabolism, but this new research has shown that inactivity and sitting also accelerate the aging process itself, which is an incredibly valuable discovery. Telomeres are the secret of aging. Telomeres, as structures at the ends of chromosomes, naturally shorten and fray as cells age. The discovery that telomere length is related to lifespan has already been awarded the Nobel Prize, so this research is a logical continuation based on that useful knowledge. According to this study, the chronological age of a person does not have to be related to his biological age, and that is why cells age faster, because they have shorter and shorter telomeres.
Faster shortening of telomeres is associated with cardiovascular diseases, various types of cancer and diabetes, and bad lifestyle habits such as obesity and smoking also contribute to their shortening. So, it has been shown that women who sit for 10 or more hours a day, and do not engage in physical activity of moderate to strong intensity for 40 minutes a day, accelerate their aging process by their own inaction. In this way, an average eight-year acceleration of the biological aging of cells is ensured, unlike that of their peers who lead a more physically active life. The University of San Diego has announced a new set of studies that will also study telomere length and the relationship to exercise and sitting in men and younger populations. Until then, while you wait for more evidence against sitting – just in case, move more, you won’t get any rest.
The impact of mental health on aging
A reliable source is a statistical model that measures a person’s biological age instead of chronological age. To achieve this, an aging clock has been devised that uses blood, genetic and DNA testing to measure a person’s biological rate of aging. Smoking is the main physical factor in this case. Mental health concerns include depression, sleep problems, loneliness and feelings of unhappiness.
The modern lifestyle, which brings with it inner psychological restlessness and anxiety, leads to less social contact and withdrawal. This is exactly the scenario that played out at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the consequences of the pandemic on human social life are present even today. The option to access social networks is often cited as an excuse, which is actually a double-edged sword. Sitting in front of a computer or phone screen every day only deepens a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to further alienation of a person from the environment.
Based on the conducted research, it was concluded that loneliness significantly affects the aging process. In addition, factors of the external environment that influence our mood determine our behavior and openness to others. It is desirable to control factors such as quality sleep, physical activity, a healthier way of eating, but also the living environment such as furniture orientation, hygiene and daylighting. Self-control of access to social networks or at least limitation of time spent at the computer is required.
Can pets prevent premature aging?
When human contact is not available, it can be useful to enjoy the presence of a furry friend. Doctors say owning a dog can help reduce the risk of premature death, especially among people who live alone, who are the group most at risk of debilitating loneliness. Previous research has also found that pet owners may have better social and communication skills and engage more in community activities.
Animals can be great conversation starters, and taking care of a pet, by taking it for a walk or to the vet, can discourage sedentarism as well as provide an opportunity to meet new people. If a larger animal, such as a dog or cat, seems too much of a commitment or too expensive, why not consider a small, mostly carefree and much cheaper alternative, such as fish, snails or insects?
Namely, older adults who in one experiment were offered crickets to care for as pets became less depressed and had improved cognitive functioning within 8 weeks of starting the experiment. Or, you can volunteer at an animal shelter or offer to babysit the pets of friends and acquaintances when they’re on vacation, so you can enjoy the same benefits and improve your social relationships.
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