Healthy living helps cells fight aging

For the first time, American scientists have found evidence that a healthy lifestyle can help human body cells fight aging.

This is the result of a five-year study led by a group of scientists led by Professor Dean Ornish of the University of California (USA), published in The Lancet Oncology on September 17.

The study was conducted for 35 men, 10 of whom followed lifestyles with a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, regular exercise, yoga training and stress control by scientists. Learn to set, the remaining 25 people maintain their normal lifestyles.

In addition to daily diet, exercise and entertainment, the group of 10 people also attended weekly classes for three months, taught by experts to reinforce new skills, including lessons. lasts an hour each week, called "support sessions".

Photo: running.competitor.com

After five years, scientists assessed the level of biological aging of the study group, focusing on the end of the chromosome. The end of the chromosome consists of pieces of protein attached to the end of the chromosomes. These protein fragments function to protect important sequences of DNA code during cell regeneration. They are often likened to the buttons of shoe laces.

As the end of the chromosome wears off, its protective capacity also decreases and the risk of DNA not being copied correctly in subsequent cell generations increases. This increases the risk of cell deformity and subsequent illnesses, including cancer.

Therefore, studying the length of the end of the chromosome is likely to indicate the life of the cell. In the group of 10, the length of their chromosome end increased significantly after five years with an average rate of 10%, which is even higher for those who strictly follow the above lifestyle. However, in the entire study group, chromosomal end length decreased with an average of 3%.

The results of the study are still limited because the number of participants is low and conducting research is only part of a research project on prostate cancer. In addition, scientists are not allowed to check whether lifestyle changes affect the risk of cancer.

According to Professor Ornish, the results of this study allow further research on prostate cancer in men. If the results are confirmed by other broader studies, this comprehensive lifestyle change can play a very important role in reducing the risk of disease and congenital malformations in humans.