The Fountain of Youth Exposed!

A recent study published in the Journal of Mechanisms of Aging and Development confirms the "anti-aging" effect of high-intensity training. Telomere shortening occurs as you age, however the factors involved are not entirely understood as of yet. The study was conducted to determine whether age-associated telomere shortening is related to habitual endurance exercise and maximal aerobic capacity.

The results suggest there's a direct association between reduced telomere shortening in your later years and high-intensity-type exercises.

 The authors' state:

"The results of the present study provide evidence that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is related to regular vigorous aerobic exercise and maximal aerobic exercise capacity with aging in healthy humans.

LTL is not influenced by aerobic exercise status among young subjects, presumably because TL is intact (i.e., already normal) in sedentary healthy young adults. However, as LTL shortens with aging it appears that maintenance of aerobic fitness, produced by chronic strenuous exercise and reflected by higher VO2max, acts to preserve LTL.

Our results indicate that leukocyte telomere length (LTL) is preserved in healthy older adults who perform vigorous aerobic exercise and is positively related to maximal aerobic exercise capacity. This may represent a novel molecular mechanism underlying the "anti-aging" effects of maintaining high aerobic fitness."

But that's not all...

High-intensity interval-type training also boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production. A 2003 study published in the journal Sports Medicine found that "exercise intensity above lactate threshold and for a minimum of 10 minutes appears to elicit the greatest stimulus to the secretion of HGH."

Studies are showing that scientifically confirm the phenomenal "anti-aging" power of short burst, high-intensity type exercises. It's a commonly ignored exercise technique that can make a most dramatic difference in your health.
The two primary anti-aging effects created by these types of exercises are:

1. Reduced age-related telomere shortening, and
2. Increased production of human growth hormone (HGH)

Natural Growth Hormone is Far Better than Injectable HGH

Human growth hormone in the form of somatropin was discovered almost 100 years ago, by Dr. Harvey Cushing. Although still popular with some body builders and other athletes, this injectable version has been banned from many professional sports. Some also inject it to promote health and longevity.

It is NOT recommended to inject HGH as it is believed that the cost and the health risks involved are unjustifiable.
Ideally, you really want your body to produce it naturally, and the way you produce it is by doing interval burst-style training. Remember, this high-intensity short-burst form of exercise is the ONLY exercise that will activate your super-fast muscle fibers, which causes HGH to be produced.

Eat Right to Further Optimize Growth Hormone Release

Aside from incorporating high intensity short-burst exercises into your fitness regimen, there are a number of additional lifestyle strategies that will further help you optimize your body's HGH production, such as:

• Get a good night's sleep
• Avoid a high fat meal prior to exercising
• Drink plenty of water (non-chlorinated)
• Eat plenty of vegetables and high quality protein
• Optimize your vitamin D levels
• Avoid sugar, especially fructose

The last part is absolutely crucial.
If you consume sugar or fructose, especially within two hours post-exercise, you will increase somatostatin which will in turn obliterate the production of growth hormone!
This is yet another reason to avoid commercial sports drinks, as most of them are loaded with glucose and fructose syrup, which will negate many of the benefits from your exercise, including shutting down HGH production.

Although interval "high intensity" type of training is very beneficial, you still need a comprehensive approach to exercise. Just because this type of training blasts conventional aerobics out of the water does not mean you should abandon all other aerobic activities. It just means you no longer need to focus on time-consuming aerobics. So much can be accomplished in just 20-30 minutes 4-5 days per week.

Ideally you want to have a variety of exercises. By switching it up and avoiding doing the same exercises all the time you will provide your body with the variety of stresses it needs to continuously adapt, improve, and grow stronger. Incorporating these healthy lifestyle changes will help you take control of your health and serve as your best shot at living a longer life.