Today there was an interesting article in the Sydney Morning Herald, linking too much exercise with aging your body. I know hard to believe, however it is true. What is it about exercise that might cause aging? It is related to hard core exercise and doing a lot of it makes you age more according to doctors.
In the article Dr Van Park a cosmetic physician was interviewed. She mentioned that “Exercise is good as long as you don’t over do it, and it does help keep people healthy, fit an”One marathon (or Tough Mudder or triathlon) every now and then is OK, but long term excessive exercise can hasten 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 Park says. “We are not 100 per cent sure of the effects on collagen, but we suspect increased cortisol breaks down collagen and elastin which fast tracks ageing.
So extreme exercise is bad but exercise in moderation is good for you.
“For the most part, exercise is an elixir for health. Apart from keeping you lean, fit and healthy, it can prevent a host of illnesses, from diabetes to osteoporosis and even cancer. It can ward of wrinkles and keep your skin younger, longer, but you have to know your limits.”
Like everything else moderation is key to keeping you young, fit and healthy.
How much exercise do you do? Are you keen on marathon’s or do you just jog around the block. Personally I love walking and doing a bit of a jog every now and then. I am trying to do more interval training. I am not sure I am marathon material yet, maybe a fun run or fun walk later.
