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The Real Fountain of Youth

By Shervan Khanna

Anti-aging remedies and procedures are increasingly in high demand. The struggle against time often reminds me of the saying that one should not complain about aging as it is a privilege denied to many. While this is definitely true, the privilege does not come without its challenges. Superficial changes may help one look and feel better, but aging graciously really requires enduring transformation that improves one’s physical health. The elusive fountain of youth is found in maintaining or rebuilding muscle strength.

According to Dr. William Evans of the Tufts University Research Center on Aging, the single most critical step to slow the aging process is strength-training exercise. Dr Evans states: “Much of what we call aging is nothing more than the accumulation of inactivity. Muscles shrink. Body fat increases. The results are an increased risk of diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis.” He further explains: “It’s changes in muscle mass that trigger all the other changes. By preserving muscle mass we can prevent these problems from occurring.”

Before the age of physical maturity at about 25 years, bodies are continually growing and developing. During this phase, muscles grow stronger even without specific exercise. However, after this point, if the body does not receive the necessary stimulus to trigger muscle growth, a slow process of muscle atrophy or wasting begins. This loss of muscle tissue directly or indirectly causes the degenerative processes and conditions that characterize the aging process. Muscles become weaker and less enduring; bones become more susceptible to fracture; joints deteriorate; metabolism slows; fat stores accumulate; body shape and appearance change. This process accelerates beyond age sixty and many eventually become so weak and immobile that they lose their independence.

Almost everyone says that they want to avoid the undesirable changes of aging and many go to great lengths to disguise the process. Research performed over the past several years has demonstrated unequivocally that strength training can prevent and reverse muscle loss and its negative consequences. Most importantly, these studies have proven that you are never too old to benefit from strength training. Significant increases in strength and muscle mass are possible even at an advanced age. Proper exercise can be the key to restoring functional ability – abandoning canes, walkers, and wheelchairs and moving about freely once again.

It is extremely important to understand that only strength training is capable of preventing age-related muscle loss. No other form of exercise or physical activity is adequate. Even very high levels of aerobic activity fail to stop muscle loss. An active lifestyle is not enough; however, becoming stronger will help you remain active for your entire life. Strengthening your muscles requires only one or two thirty-minute training sessions per week. A small investment of time and effort can pay huge dividends. Slow, controlled loading of your muscles with adequate resistance can rapidly rebuild strength and help you regain youthful vitality. Strength training is the real fountain of youth.

About the Author:

Shervan Khanna with One to One Wellness Centre, which is a Personal Training Studio & Rehab Clinic located in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Their website is www.121wellness.ca