BIOMARKERS AND STAYING YOUNG

There are certain biomarkers that are key physiological factors that affect your health, vitality, and the way you age. Some of the most important of these are: lean body mass, strength, bone density, aerobic capacity, blood-sugar tolerance, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, body-fat percentage, and basal metabolic rate. With proper levels of activity, exercise and nutrition, these biomarkers can be improved in most people regardless of age. Remember to contact your physician before you start a new exercise program or do exercises that are new to you. It is also recommended that you work with an exercise professional to make sure that your program is both safe and effective.

Lean Body Mass

LEAN BODY MASS refers to the amount of lean muscle tissue that you have on your frame. Most people lose half of their muscle mass between the ages of 25 and 80, and that loss typically accelerates after the age of 45. This loss parallels the reduction in muscle fiber size, particularly fast twitch or Type II muscle fibers in our lower extremities. Our largest muscle groups are the gluteal region, quadriceps, and hamstrings. Resistance training that results in strength gains in the lower extremities is essential to maintaining or increasing muscle mass. LEAN BODY MASS is an extremely important biomarker because it greatly influences other biomarkers such as strength, basal metabolic rate, bone density, and glucose tolerance. Increasing our lean muscle mass can help slow the aging process, improve our functionality, and enhance our quality of life.