Exercise and Chocolate Milk Could Be Key to Long LivingWriten by Valerian D.
There are many researches aiming to find a non-pharmaceutical way to keep muscles in good function and to maintain the quality of life in elderly people. This ability to develop cells power and stability by converting organic materials into energy via oxidative process is performed by mitochondria. Described sometimes as cellular power plants, mitochondria - plural from mitochondrion - are found in most eukaryotic cells. Normally a cell has several hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, which means up to 25% of the cell's cytoplasm. According to accepted theory, mitochondria have their own DNA and they were originally derived from external organisms.
As their basic function is to create energy, mitochondria are in charge with quality of life. Studies found that as we grow older the amount of mitochondria diminishes in our body. This situation is determined by the decline of proteins in the mitochondria and results in age-related bad muscle function and respiratory skills worsening.
Then to maintain the quality of life in older people and not only, is equivalent to maintain the protein levels in muscles, replacing old and damaged proteins with new ones eventually.
Recent researches found that exercising can increase the synthesis of mitochondrial proteins. At the same time, drinking a cup of chocolate milk after a nice stroll is a good option.
Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in issues such as antiaging.