Want Longevity, Reduce Time Sitting

Reduce time sitting and more active not only make us fitter, but also extend the life because our DNA so younger.

Experts have long warned of the dangers of sitting too long. The more time spent sitting, the shorter the length of DNA called telomeres.

Telomeres serve to protect the ends of chromosomes. With age, telomere shortening will continue to some extent. At its maximum to longer telomeres can not be shortened, then the cell will die.

"Our data suggest that telomere lengthening is one way to improve health," said Per Sjogren, lead investigator and professor of at the University of Uppsala, Sweden.

However, the researchers still caution against conclusions of this study because of the small-scale research.

"Telomeres have attracted a lot of attention the last few years. Reason, telomeres located at the ends of chromosomes and proved essential for DNA replication and cell survival. Interest to know what affects telomere length of a person's health and age of the higher," said Sjögren's.

Telomeres prevent chromosomes separate or fused to each other so that damage carries the genetic code. However, researchers have not found the exact reason why reducing the sitting position can lengthen telomeres. "It is still a question unanswered," he said.

Dr. David Katz, director of Yale University's Prevention Research Center, said, "It has long been proven that the longer we sit down every day, the less the rest of our lives. Persons whose lives are active tend to live longer," he said.

According to Katz, the evidence strongly suggests that lifestyle and genes affect telomere length. "This study emphasizes the complementary pieces of information that there is a relationship between prolonged sitting and reduction in telomere elongation," he said.

The study studied 49 people aged 60 years and over who rarely exercise and being overweight. Researchers took blood samples twice with them six months apart.

The participants had previously followed the research which they divide between routine and keep doing a new exercise program. As a result, sports activities has no effect on telomere length, it sat most relevant time.