Too much exercise can cause aging
Friday, 23 October 2009
We’ve all heard the mertis of exercising and how it can boost our metabolism and that in turn aid us in terms of having better circulation and complexion. Although I believe that’s true to an extent, but I hate to exercise so I was secretly gloating when I came across this piece of information while reading my husband’s copy of Men’s Heath that our bodies produce free radicals during exercise.
Coincidentally, my husband recently pointed out to me that some women who exercise seem to look a lot older. When I did a search on the topic, I learnt that excessive exercise promotes the biological aging of middle-aged women, according to Shin Yun-a, professor of physical education at Seoul National University.
Heavy exercises consume more oxygen
Shin released a paper regarding the effect of heavy exercise on middle-aged women’s telomeres, an aging indicator in cells and discovered telomeres got shorter when women in middle age in their 30s to 60s do excessive exercise. According to her, sudden and heavy exercise requires excessive oxygen consumption, causing aging.
Shin explained that after heavy exercise, the women’s lipid peroxidation, that damage cells, rapidly increased. Excessive exercise also caused superoxide dismutase (SOD) deactivation — SOD is an enzyme protecting cells against aging. (source)
Free radicals cause cellular damage
Another article at the Department of Physiology in the University of Valencia also stated that exercise causes an increase in the generation of free radicals by cells and these radicals cause cellular damage. However, this is only when exercise is exhaustive as strenous exercise causes oxidation of glutathione, release of cytosolic enzymes, and other signs of cell damage.
Antioxidant supplements can help
The same article pointed out that the damage can be prevented by antioxidant administration and this is similar to what I read in Men’s Health Magazine, which encouraged those who exercise to supplement with antioxidants (vitamins A, C & E) in order toreduce the post-workout infllamtion. Definitely something to consider, especially for those who exercises regularly.
So if you exercise, do exercise in moderation as well.
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31 Comments to “Too much exercise can cause aging”
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October 23rd, 2009 at 11:27 am
I think it’s a matter of moderation… I see a lot my friends’ mums who exercise on a daily basis looking really radiant with beautiful skin. haha.
But this does makes sense. As the title says, “too much” exercise… Logically thinking, if you use the washing machine 5 times a day, it’s definitely going to wear and tear faster. Human beings are no different.
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sesame Reply:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I know…many people who exercise in moderation look radiant and beautiful. I should do more exercise but I’m plain lazy…or maybe I can have better skin. Haha…
But there are crazy people who exercise like mad…like my husband.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 11:31 am
Hmm…I wonder…does this apply to men as well?
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sesame Reply:
October 23rd, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Yes, it does but I think their skin is slightly different so they do not age so fast! But they do produce free radicals which will be harmful to their bodies in the long run. Must take more antioxidant vitamins.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 12:14 pm
good to know. now i don’t feel guilty about missing out on the gym everyday. 2-3x a week is good enough i guess
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Haha…no guilt for you now!
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October 23rd, 2009 at 12:31 pm
That’s the first time I’ve heard this theory. Good to know, since I’ve always hated PE when I was at school, and I rarely exercise these days except the occasional sit-ups
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 12:46 am
Oh I hate PE too! I once told my PE teacher that jogging will make me old.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 12:41 pm
i used to be pretty crazy about exercise. I would say that I agree about the part about exercising in moderation. Excessive exercise made me tired, bulky and very very hungry…
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 12:47 am
It seems you need to eat the right food to store enough energy for exercise. Well, going by what my husband eats at least…
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October 23rd, 2009 at 7:17 pm
Now I’d just like to know what is considered excessive.. I mean celebrities exercise ALOT sometimes for their movie roles.. like up to 5 hrs a day etc.. but they still look great..
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 12:51 am
I think celebrities can afford their own trainers and even personal doctor who can advice them what to do and what to take. So that definitely help. Not to forget they have the aesthetic doctors to fall back on.
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October 24th, 2009 at 1:11 am
I’d also like to know precisely what they mean by “too much”. Doctors recommend a minimum of 30 minutes of cardio, at least 5 times a week. So what is the upper limit? And I suspect that the upper limit is going to be subjective – “strenous” exercise for one person could be just a walk in the park for someone who is a lot more fit… maybe it boils down to each individual’s personal fitness level and how much they can sustain?
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:54 am
It probably applies to people who overstretch themselves in exercising. I also think if a person exercises, then it’s best to also take care of their diet and their supplements. A lot of people have the misconception that if they exercise (a lot too) that they’re healthy but it may not be the case.
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October 24th, 2009 at 1:37 am
*ehem* good to know this…esp the lazy me who has hardly touched my X-trainer for more than half a year already. And hubby wasn’t too happy about it.
But from the Biochemistry point of view, the studies make sense. Hence, like you said, exercise in moderation, based on our own individual capability is the key.
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:55 am
*ahem* for me too!
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October 24th, 2009 at 1:58 am
I think the kind of exercise affects the aging process too. Imagine women who do seasports or play golf 3 4 times a week. irregardless of how much sunblock they put, it is just not enough to negate the effects that the sun has on them in addition to the free radicals. maybe that’s why yoga and pilates and dancing are quite popular “exercises”.
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:56 am
Yes, you’re right too. If women who do active outdoor sports don’t protect themselves when they’re out in the sun, they’ll have more free radicals for sure…
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October 24th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Yes, I’m so happy about this article. I’ve bulked up quite a bit when I use to exercise almost everyday. Definitely agree that moderation is key! Now I can feel less guilty when I rest for a few days!
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:57 am
Haha…it’s also a good excuse for lazy bums like me.
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October 24th, 2009 at 7:27 am
I always feel guilty when I skip a workout…now I don’t feel so bad!
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Good that the article helped ease your guilt! Hee…
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October 24th, 2009 at 10:27 am
well, i always told my PE teacher that I’m having my period so I have skip any form of exercise. It helps when your teacher is a guy xD
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 10:35 am
Aiyoh, my PE teacher in college was a guy and he punished me and scolded me very hard for not wanting to jog. He said that I was cooking up grandmother’s tale. I hated him…and PE too!
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October 24th, 2009 at 10:40 am
omg! this is REAL-ly new news to me! now i know why i look so old now though pple say i look younger than my age :’(
but age is catching up. if i dun exercise I will get real lazy in no time and slotch on sofas more! argh!!!!
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Go ahead and exercise. It’s good…just remember to take some vitamins and drink lots of water.
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October 24th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
i had really nasty PE teachers too who love to put down students who are less than athletically inclined and get (what i think are major ego trips) from ordering students around. i don’t think it’s really justified at all in any mainstream education system and that was just slightly over 10 years ago so definitely in the ‘modern’ era. i wish i knew more about filing complaints to the education authorities then about abusive teachers. having said that, the rest of my non-PE teachers were lovely
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sesame Reply:
October 24th, 2009 at 9:34 pm
Actually now that you highlighted this, I recall the PE teacher in my secondary school was extremely nasty. She was known for slapping students if she’s not happy with them. Definitely more than 10 years ago.
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November 2nd, 2009 at 12:23 pm
[...] Can too much exercise make you age faster?! – Viva Woman [...]
December 19th, 2009 at 3:09 am
But how much is to much? I exercise five times a week (mon.-fri.) at least 20 minutes jumping and then work out my upper body( Mon and thurs.) and lower body ( Tue. wed. and Friday) somewhere for a half an hour. Would you consider this two much? I’m asking cause I don’t want to look old (I just turned 22)
Also I exercise cause I want abs..lol…but they are coming very slowly for some reason..:(
Thank you
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sesame Reply:
December 19th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I can’t tell either but your exercise routine sounds rigorous to me. My advice is that you take more vitamins containing antioxidants. My husband exercises about 3 – 4 times a week running and swimming. He finds that taking such supplements help him. And he doesn’t look old.
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