Exercise Reduces Age-Related Lipid Buildup in Muscles: Study

Aging is a natural process within humans. However, numerous studies are being conducted to understand the changes that happen during a person’s lifespan and how they affect the health of aging adults. A study published in Nature Aging found that a specific lipid builds up in muscle tissue with age. Researchers identified the lipid using mouse tissues and found similar results in human muscles. They then found that levels of this lipid could be reduced via exercise among postmenopausal women. The results point to another possible benefit of exercise and the need for more research regarding this lipid buildup. 

The researchers of this study note that studying complex lipids might help them understand age-related diseases and overall longevity. They first examined ten different tissues in young and old mice to understand age-related differences in lipids. They found that more lipids began accumulating with age in most of the tissues they examined. The primary lipids they found were called Bis(monoacylglycerol)phosphates (BMPs). Researchers also wanted to see if some similar BMP accumulation happened in humans. Therefore, they collected muscle biopsies from younger men and women between sixty-five and eighty. They concluded that even though there were differences between men’s and women’s muscle tissue samples, researchers found a buildup of BMPs in older participants.

Researchers also wanted to see if exercise could influence BMP levels. Thus, the researchers included 12 postmenopausal women between 45 and 70. These women were overweight and exercised less than three hours each week. They conducted a randomized, cross-over intervention utilizing three different activity regimens: a sitting regimen, which involved sitting for fourteen hours a day; an exercising regimen, which involved exercising for one hour each day; and a standing regimen, which involved standing for three hours each day and walking for two hours each day. The participants did each regimen for four days and underwent a muscle biopsy on the fifth day. 

The researchers found that even over the short intervention period, levels of BMP were lower following exercise intervention. The study brings forth an interesting finding regarding the accumulation of specific lipids that occurs with aging and how this accumulation impacts the aging process. It is still too early to determine the long-term impact of these lipids, and further study is necessary. This study further underscores the importance of encouraging regular physical activity, especially as we age. Regular exercise maintains strong muscles, preserves mobility, improves cognitive function and sleep, and even positively impacts energy and mood.