ABSTRACT
Exercise, like food, is an essential way of controlling essential hormonal levels. It is also one of the primary means of controlling body composition and creating positive changes in quality of life, or what we call “functionality.” A number of key biomarkers of aging are improved with exercise, and although they may not increase longevity, they improve our quality of time as we age. Exercise speeds up the fat-burning process by burning calories more efficiently and improving our metabolic rate. It also lowers insulin levels. In fact, large changes in insulin resistance, which normally occur as we age, have tremendous effects on aging as well. The effects of increased insulin resistance as we age include decreased longevity, hypertension, arteriosclerosis, blood lipid abnormalities, glucose fluctuations, osteoporosis, obesity and even tumor growth. Intense exercise, although related to longevity, can improve functionality, thus resulting in extra muscle mass, strength, and improved quality of life.
