Exercise does so much for your wellbeing, but what about your anti-ageing wellness? Exercise can prevent diabetes, osteoporosis and even cancer, and ward of wrinkles and keep your skin younger for longer – but you have to know your limits.
According to cosmetic physician Dr Van Park, ‘If you want to look young, don’t become a marathon runner. One marathon (or Tough Mudder or triathlon) every now and then is OK, but long term excessive exercise can hasten ageing. Just look at the faces of regular marathon runners.’ She notes that high-level exercise can put your body under extreme stress, which is what brings on premature ageing. Cortisol is released when we’re highly stressed and high levels can lead to depression, memory loss, abdominal weight gain, insomnia and premature ageing.’
Dr Van Park explains. ‘We are not 100% sure of the effects on collagen, but we suspect increased cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin which fast tracks ageing. Add to that free radical damage, ongoing sun exposure and a high-protein diet which often goes with excessive exercise, and men and women who exercise intensely over a long period do age faster. In addition, it’s well documented high stress levels cause symptoms of hypothyroidism, and critical neurotransmitters such as glutamine, dopamine and 5-HTP are effected and can cause depression and even chronic fatigue, none of which is great news for your skin, body or face.’
Rob Newton, foundation professor of exercise and sports science at Edith Cowan University, comments, ‘Currently we know of no other “medicine” with greater benefits for slowing or even reversing the effects of ageing on the body than physical exercise. The most significant benefit is in extending life by preventing the progression of chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, type II diabetes and Alzheimer’s. Exercise is also critical for maintaining muscle mass and helping to maintain a healthy level of body fat and this plays a major role in our immune function and metabolic health.’
Professor Newton adds, ‘Muscle is also a major moderator of chronic low-level inflammation in the body. This chronic low-level inflammation, present in people who are sedentary – whether they are overweight or not, is one of the main ageing mechanisms and the main driver for our current chronic disease epidemic as it causes cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer’s and even macular degeneration.’
Comments are closed.