Study Shows Exercise May Have A Hand In Changing Our DNA

Aside from making people leaner and fitter, exercise might have a hand in changing DNA. The New York Times reported that a new study discovered that exercise can change the form and function of people's genes. The human genome is very sophisticated and genes can turn on and off depending on the biochemical signals these acquire from the body. When the genes are turned on, proteins are released that will cause physical responses in other parts of the body.

Some genes will become active or less active due to exercise. Some studies revealed that exercise have changing results in DNA. It can lead to quick changes in the methylation patterns of some genes in muscle cells. Methylation is the process where methyl groups attach to the outer part of a gene to activate the gene to acquire and respond to biochemical signals from the body. Methylation patterns will change depending on a person's lifestyle.

Through a complex analysis of the genome, researchers found that more than 5,000 sites on the genome of muscle cells from the exercised body part presented new methylation patterns. Some presented more methyl groups while others showed fewer. The changes were significant and did not present in the unexercised body part. A lot of the methylation alterations were on the parts of the genome with the ability to enhance the release of proteins by genes. Many of the studied genes have a part in energy metabolism, inflammation and insulin response inside muscles so these can affect the health and fitness of muscles and the entire body.

Malene Lindholm, a graduate student who led the study about exercise potentially changing DNA, said, "Through endurance training -- a lifestyle change that is easily available for most people and doesn't cost much money, we can induce changes that affect how we use our genes and, through that, get healthier and more functional muscles that ultimately improve our quality of life."

Men's Fitness also reported that a study revealed that exercise may have changing effects on DNA. Alhough exercise might not change the DNA code, but can let the muscles adjust to the higher metabolic demands of physical activity. The gene activity also tends to increase as the intensity of exercise increased.

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