When we pay attention to some news or sports news, we often find that many athletes who have achieved outstanding results in their youth are mostly not optimistic in their physical condition in middle age. Some of them even die from disease. For example, football star Andreas Escobar, snooker genius Pani Stewart, etc., many health experts have also speculated about such phenomena. Some believe that hormones are overused. Some believe that the organ burden failure caused by excessive exercise and so on. There are different opinions and debates.
In the nature sub-journal, the research team at Johns Hopkins University expressed a new perspective. After research and experimentation, they believe that these talented athletes are prone to premature aging and premature death, which may be related to a "special gene" of the human body.
Studies have shown that a special gene of the human body may compromise lifespan at the expense of "strength"
According to the researchers' further explanation, the gene is code-named CaMKII., and basically all vertebrates, including humans, have this gene trait present, but the intensity of expression varies. Some people have such genes that are easy to show, and some people hide them, which is somewhat similar to the expression of color blindness.
The gene, called CaMKII, has positive expression traits. Mostly for endurance, strength and physical fitness.
In other words, the stronger the expression of the CaMKII gene, the stronger the person, often indicates that the physical strength, athletic ability and instantaneous explosiveness will be much stronger than the average person. Probably speaking of this, many friends will also envy people who have this gene. But the researchers then added that there is a price to pay for this "genetic power." And this price is likely to be lifespan. The CaMKII gene has a significant increase in susceptibility to mammalian diseases. That is, it is more likely to get sick and get cancer.
As mentioned above, this is more akin to a "double-edged sword" gene that gains strength, but may also lose its lifespan. Therefore, researchers classify most athletes as the reason for their shorter lifespan and more diseases.
And according to their experiments in mice, the defective mice that were knocked into the inactivated CaMKII. were far less athletic than the ordinary mice with the active CaMKII gene. And ordinary mice did die before genetically defective mice.
But we should know that "existence is meaningful", this phrase is applied to the CaMKII gene, and the same is true, it cannot exist for no reason, if it is a genetic characteristic that only has a single shortcoming, it will disappear completely in the long-term biological evolution.
What is the role of the existence of the CaMKII gene?
According to CaMKII, the gene is mostly present in vertebrates, while invertebrates have almost no characteristics of this gene trait. Scientists speculate that the CaMKII gene may be related to bone and muscle growth.
This is also true, and the mouse experiments above also highlight this conclusion. The faster-running, CaMKII. gene remains active in mice, which naturally means that its skeletal muscles are more developed and beneficial, and more able to provide the basic motor mechanisms of the body.
Moreover, CaMKII is essentially a gene type of protein kinase that promotes oxidative metabolism in the human body. It is a trait substance that helps the body to perform metabolic operations. It's not useless. As far as we humans are concerned, although it cannot be denied that it may affect our risk of disease and thus reduce life expectancy, its positive and powerful metabolism in the human body is also the cornerstone of maintaining our health. Contradictions and mutual advantages and disadvantages may be the reason why life is wonderful and mysterious.
But some people may say that I am not like an athlete, there is such a high-intensity sports demand, especially for the middle-aged and elderly, the continuation of life, how to live a long and healthy life is the most important. How to become healthy and long-lived under the premise of the presence of the CaMKII gene in the human body.
Inspired by the CaMKII gene, how can we live healthily and long?
First of all, the first point: control your exercise.
In terms of the nature of genes, we can think of them as a switch, and the CaMKII gene is the switch of oxidation in the body.
Similar to athletes, high-intensity exercise throughout the day, through auxiliary means to improve physical fitness, naturally will frequently trigger this switch, the body oxidation to provide enough physical energy at the same time, oxidative aging speed accelerates, natural life will also have an impact.
This is not to say that exercise is not good, moderate exercise, improve the level of metabolism of the body, is a positive impact on life expectancy. Therefore, for the majority of middle-aged and elderly people, to control the amount of exercise, neither can not exercise, nor can it be over-exercised, about 30 minutes a day, it is best to carry out some aerobic exercise such as jogging and fast walking, but it is more healthy and long-lived.
Secondly, the second point: take some antioxidant measures
We often hear that antioxidants are often one of the biggest causes of fighting aging. As far as the CaMKII genetic level is concerned, there is indeed a certain truth.
Therefore, if you want to live longer and healthier, it is also a very good choice to take antioxidant measures in your life appropriately. For example, in the diet, eat more vegetables and fruits rich in vitamin C, such as oranges, oranges, grapefruit and so on. In daily life, do a good job in sunscreen, moisture protection and other health measures, regular work and rest, although simple and easy, but effective antioxidant longevity methods. I highly recommend it for everyone to try.
In terms of conclusion, the CaMKII gene will indeed increase the intensity of human exercise and affect the health of the body according to the frequency of triggering and the manifestation traits of the gene. But as far as we ordinary people are concerned, the influence of similar necessary genes is not very large, relatively speaking, we can get inspiration for longevity from it, such as proper exercise, eating more vitamin C and so on. Don't overcorrect, health is usually the best.