Biological Mechanism Linked to Healthy Aging
Researchers from Harvard have discovered a biological mechanism that greatly affects aging. Their study shows that caloric restriction and daily exercise are linked to healthy aging because they rejuvenate the connections between nerves and muscles. Experiments performed on genetically engineered lab mice showed that some of the debilitation of aging is caused by deterioration of connections that nerves make with muscles, or neuromuscular junctions.
These microscopic links are very similar to synapses in the brain. In a healthy synapse, nerve endings and receptors on muscle fibres match very closely, ensuring maximum efficiency in transmitting the nerve's signal from brain to muscle. In the aging process these synapses deteriorate and nerves shrink, interfering with transmission of nerve impulses to muscles and eventually to muscle fibre death. But calorie restriction reversed all of this deterioration, while exercise also had a positive affect, though not as significant.
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