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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, APRIL 11, 2015
City to host Recycled Art
Contest for Earth Day
J OEL F UHRMAN , MD
Exercise will help keep DNA young
In addition to the many well-
known benefits of exercise for
reducing the risk of chronic dis-
ease, evidence has emerged in
the past few years suggesting
that exercise may slow the
aging process at the DNA level.
One fascinating area of
research on biological aging
centers on regions of DNA
called telomeres, non-coding
sequences located on the ends
chromosomes.
Telomeres are shortened
with each cell division until
eventually the telomeres
becomes too short, preventing
the cell from dividing any fur-
ther (called “senescence”).
As more and more cells in a
tissue become senescent, its
function can become impaired -
the tissue ages.
Therefore telomere length is
used as an indicator of cellular
aging, and many studies have
investigated potential factors
that may contribute to changes
in telomere length.
In human studies, shorter
telomere length has been asso-
ciated with hypertension, car-
diovascular disease, insulin
resistance, type 2 diabetes,
oxidative stress, and obesity.
A low level of physical activ-
ity contributes to these condi-
tions, and therefore mainte-
nance of telomere length may
be one link between exercise,
disease prevention and longevi-
ty.
Regular exercise is associat-
ed with a longer lifespan, and a
number of studies have now
documented links between
physical activity and longer
telomere length in white blood
cells or skeletal muscle cells.
Many of these studies have
found that those who exercise
regularly have “younger” DNA
than those who are sedentary.
In fact, one study in particular
showed that older individuals
(ages 55-72) who regularly
engaged in endurance training
not only had longer telomeres
than sedentary people their own
age, but also similar telomere
length to younger (ages 18-32)
endurance trained individuals.
This is promising data that
suggests that exercise helps to
maintain a longer telomere
length over time, contributing
to slower cellular aging.
The pathways by which
exercise may affect telomere
length are still under study, and
may be due to alleviating
oxidative stress and/or inflam-
mation.
Oxidative stress and inflam-
mation are factors that affect
telomere length and also con-
tribute to diabetes, heart dis-
ease, and cancer.
Between exercise and a diet
based on phytochemical-rich
plant foods, we can achieve
substantial protection against
cellular aging and chronic dis-
ease.
Dr. Fuhrman is a New York
Times best-selling author and
board certified family physician
specializing in lifestyle and nutri-
tional medicine.
Visit his website at Dr
Fuhrman.com, or submit questions
and comments to newsques-
tions@drfuhrman.com.
In observance of Earth Day,
April 22, the Environmental
Management
Advisory
Committee is hosting the
Recycled Art Contest.
There are four categories:
under 12 years of age, family,
adult, and business.
Entry forms are to be turned
into City Hall, 250 Highway
101, on Earth Day, April 22.
Art submissions are to be
delivered to the Florence
Events Center between 8 a.m.
and 5 p.m. April 24 or 27.
Art must be constructed out
of materials you would place
in your recycle bin.
Contest rules and entry
forms can be downloaded
from the City of Florence web-
site
at
www.ci.florence
.or.us/boardsandcommissions,
or may be picked up at
Florence City Hall.
Entries will be on view
April 24 through May 2, dur-
ing the Florence Green Fair.
For more information, call
541-997-8237.
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this 2963 sq. ft. custom home. This 3 bdrm, 3 bath
home is located in a gated community for added
security. Registered boat house, RV barn and 2-
car garage on 1.17 acres. Extensive amenities list
available. $689,000. #2249-13544935
Amy Johnson
Broker, CSA
541 999-7875
1749 Highway 101 • 541-997-1200
FRAA offers watercolor
class from Ken Kent
Local watercolor artist Ken
Kent will teach a four-week
class on the basics of water-
color painting at the FRAA
Art Center, 4969 Highway
101, Munsel Lake Plaza No. 4
(just north of Fred Meyer).
The four-week session will
meet May 6, 13, 20 and 27,
from 1 to 4 p.m. No drawing
experience is required.
Kent works with each new
student on a one-to-one basis.
Cost will be $60 for the four
sessions, plus a one-time
materials and processing fee of
$15. Class will be limited to
12 registered students.
On Wednesday, April 15,
there will be a free meeting at
1 p.m., at the FRAA Art
Center.
New students are encour-
aged to attend, as required
supplies and class registration
will be discussed.
In the past two years here in
Florence, Kent has helped
more than 100 artists learn the
basics of watercolor painting.
Kent is a graduate of the
nationally
recognized
Chouinard Institute of Art in
Los Angeles, as a product
designer and space planner.
To register, call 541-902-
9691 between 4 and 6 p.m.
weekdays.
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345 Hwy. 101 • P.O. Box 357
Florence, OR 97439-0012
541-997-2413
Kevin McMullen
3rd Generation Owner
hobergsautorepair@gmail.com
Serving Your Auto Needs Since 1945
2150 Hwy. 101 • Florence
(541) 997-3475 • 1-800-348-3475
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