![](https://naturalhealthresponse.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/NHT_240614-1000x667-1-1000x300.jpg)
The Hidden Culprit Accelerating Aging and Disease
We all want to slow down aging and maintain our vitality well into our golden years.
Many of us go to great lengths to age gracefully—from eating a healthy, whole foods diet to slathering on moisturizers and serums.
But what if I told you there’s a hidden factor lurking deep inside your muscles that could be rapidly accelerating aging and putting you at risk for chronic disease?
Australian researchers have discovered that the makeup of our muscle fibers plays a direct role in whether we suffer from unhealthy aging and a host of serious health conditions.
And it all centers around unassuming cells called fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAPs).
FAPs reside within our muscle tissue and are essential for muscle repair and maintenance. However, under certain conditions, they can go rogue and transform into fat cells, leading to the accumulation of intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT).
IMAT is an invisible enemy, sneaking fat in between your muscle fibers and disrupting their function. While we need some IMAT for proper muscle health, too much can spell disaster for your physical function and overall well-being as you age.
The researchers found that excessive IMAT buildup can trigger a domino effect of health problems, including:
- Muscle loss and weakness
- Reduced functional capacity
- Chronic inflammation
- Insulin resistance and diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Metabolic disorders
- Accelerated aging
In essence, when FAPs turn to the dark side and start storing fat, they set the stage for the exact age-related decline we’re all trying to avoid.
So what causes FAPs to adopt this sinister role? The scientists discovered that prolonged physical inactivity, muscle injuries, chronic inflammation, and metabolic disturbances can all spur FAPs to become fat hoarders rather than muscle supporters.
Fortunately, the research team emphasized that one of the most potent weapons we have against rogue FAPs and unhealthy IMAT gain is simple: exercise.
Regular physical activity, especially resistance training, is crucial for keeping FAPs in check and maintaining muscle integrity as we age. It prevents FAPs from turning into fat cells, enhances their muscle-boosting functions, and helps preserve strength and mobility in our later years.
In addition to working up a good sweat, eating an antioxidant-rich diet and managing your weight can also help ward off the metabolic and inflammatory triggers that cause FAPs to go off course.
So, if you want to age at your own pace and avoid being blindsided by muscle-deep metabolic mayhem, and accelerated aging, make movement a non-negotiable part of your daily routine.
P.S. Nutrient targets the TOP 12 hallmarks of aging.
Source:
Flores-Opazo, M., Kopinke, D., Helmbacher, F., Fernández-Verdejo, R., Tuñón-Suárez, M., Lynch, G. S., & Contreras, O. (2024). Fibro-adipogenic progenitors in physiological adipogenesis and intermuscular adipose tissue remodeling. Molecular Aspects of Medicine, 97, 101277.
![Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.](https://naturalhealthresponse.com/wp-content/themes/health-child/images/author-images/Dr.RichardGerhauser,M.D..jpg)
Written By Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D.
For years he’s been the trusted doctor for celebrities, world-class athletes, and countless seniors looking to reclaim their health.
And now…for the first time ever… he’s making his medical breakthroughs available to readers all across America.
Dr. Richard Gerhauser, M.D. is one of the most pioneering and innovative minds in medicine today – and he delivers cutting-edge cures each month through his Natural Health Response newsletter.
Natural Health Response readers get full access to Dr. Gerhauser’s protocols for chronic pain… heart disease… diabetes… Alzheimer’s… and even cancer. These are the very same treatments Dr. Gerhauser recommends to his own patients at his practice in Tucson, Arizona.
In addition to being a board-certified medical doctor, Dr. Gerhauser has earned two master’s degrees and has served as a clinical professor at the University of Arizona.
And as a physician at the world-famous Canyon Ranch, Dr. Gerhauser treated celebrities from around the world who paid dearly for the type of next-generation health information he provides Natural Health Response readers each month.
View More Free Articles
THIS Move Eases Back Pain
Do you know what the worldwide leading cause of disability is? It’s lower back pain. The 619 million people experiencing back pain in 2020 is expected to balloon to nearly 850 million over the next 25 years. A simple activity you can start today is proven to reduce back pain, help you stay pain-free LONGER, […]
Shocking sunlight link to a cancer-causing toxin
You know I love sunlight. It’s one of Nature’s most remarkable, powerful ways to help your body run at its best. But sunlight isn’t good for everything. In fact, according to a recent study, sunlight could potentially turn your water into a cancer-causing toxin. Here’s what you need to know. Sunlight on water isn’t the […]
Top 5 Supplements for BETTER Joints
Pain comes in all forms. But among the most common I’d hear about in my medical practice was JOINT pain. I would always tell my patients that a low-impact exercise like walking, cycling, or swimming is one of the BEST things you can do for your joints. Stretching is also effective because it helps lubricate […]
“Mom Approved” Health Advice Protects from Head to Toe
The older I get, the more I realize that my mom was always right. Of course, that’s hard to see when you’re an 8-year-old being forced to eat your vegetables. But a growing stack of studies confirms that simply eating our veggies contributes to a healthier, longer life. One family of “super veggies,” in particular, […]
Protect Your Peepers with TOP Eye-Health Nutrients
Our eyes are under an unprecedented attack from the constant bombardment of blue light. Every type of eye condition is on the rise because of this. So, whether you’re experiencing a problem now or not, it’s vital to support your eyes with the nutrients they need to fight back. Following are five of the best […]
Millions Taking This Risky Med Shouldn’t Be
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of statin drugs. I’ve been saying for years that these are the most over-prescribed yet least beneficial drugs on the market. One study even linked long-term use of statins to (wait for it…) heart disease! Now, a study has finally proven that I’ve been right all along. […]
The Cheapest Health Food Money Can Buy
Over the years, I’ve had plenty of patients tell me that they can’t afford to eat “healthy.” Of course, I always respond telling them they can’t afford NOT to. But today, I want to highlight that a healthy diet doesn’t have to break the bank. In fact, one cheap pantry staple in particular can lead […]
“Brain Food” Breakthrough BOOSTS Memory
One area that mainstream medicine consistently overlooks about brain health is the fitness and function of your mitochondria. Mitochondria produce ATP, which is what your brain cells use for energy. Without enough ATP, your brain cells can die. When your mitochondria stop functioning correctly—and your body doesn’t get rid of them properly—they build up, negatively […]
Melatonin Can Save Your Eyesight? (Not So Fast)
It’s no secret that I’m not a fan of melatonin supplements. I’ve warned you before about the dangers of messing with this powerful sleep hormone, especially in children. And now a new study might be pushing people even further towards popping melatonin pills, as its findings suggest it could slash your risk for age-related macular […]
Popular Vitamins Linked to Heart-Driven Deaths?!
There’s a lot of information—and probably even more misinformation—floating around the Internet. When it comes to supplements, some people claim they’re necessary for healthy living, while others say they’re a sham. And still others say they’re downright dangerous. For example, a recent study reported that two VERY popular supplements increase your risk of dying from […]