Cycling is Anti-Aging, But There's a Catch

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

It's been proven that aerobic activity, especially ones where you pace your breath, boosts various biological processes in the body which contributes to healthy body composition. This also includes protecting the length of telomeres! Of which, I also take lots of colostrum, which is the only nature source of Telomerase. When you get into an aerobic zone, your body begins to upregulate metabolites to prime the activity. When you stop, if you haven't totally expended everything through heavy anaerobic activity, that surplus then gets stored in your cells and boosts retention!

We all might be cyclers here, but some of us might not be getting the fullest benefit from our cycling.

And there's one big tip that might help more than anything else—sprint.

Make sure you get a decent sprint in each ride if you can. I'm talking about an all out attack or something as close to this as possible. If your don't get that stimulation from the nervous system, then you won't be getting the fullest benefits from your cycling stimulation.

Another I would like to point out is—supplement.

We can't just cycle and expect everything to come naturally. You need to be boosting, especially as you age, key aspects that keep your body composition peak as its natural capacity to sustain this can begin to diminish. This includes boosting NAD+ (which you can do with liposmal forms); NAC and Glutathion; Beet Powder and Mushrooms (for Nitrates); Glycine, Taurine, Arginine (the big three aminos to boost, with Cartinine wanting to trail). Taking a BCAA or EAA drink once to twice daily with this is prime. Boosting whole protein consumption too, especially Collagen Peptides before activity is excellent. Always have a protein shake before bed. It helps you to heal, sleep, and ward off nightmares. Onions will also help to boost testosterone if you're male, and I would further suggest getting a natural test booster (such as Andro Stim Liquescence or Muscle Maker Plus)—because they work wonders alongside abstinence retention. Splitting a multivitamin across the day wants to be common sense; but alongside that, getting extra B vitamins, extra D3, and extra magnesium wants to be crucial.

Definitely consider the underlined if nothing else. Boosting these compounds is what really enables your body to unlock the anti-aging benefits of your cycling activity.

[Talha]

Great insights! All levels of cyclists would benefit from sprints with the added neurological boost. Supplementation is also instrumental, particularly as we age. Boron, magnesium and selenium for hormonal balance to replenish zinc that is low with aging. Sprinting in combination with smart supplementation is a perfect way to fully take advantage of cycling

[rydabent]

I agree with the title of this thread. Basically if you set you rust.

[enkei]

Also, resistance training, like lifting weights, adds to this mix, in terms of both overall health and boosting testosterone levels.

I reckon a mix of the kinds of aerobic training and supplements that @ReapThaWhirlwind has detailed, combined with weights, bodyweight workouts, flexibility exercises, and meditation is probably ideal.

[Jesper]

Do not forget sex! Great overall workout for all ages (within the legal and ethical considerations). Yoga, parkour, gymnastics, ballet, martial arts, aerobics; all play a part. Nutrition should be addressed by a professional. Addition/deletion of nutrients is not something that fits everyone without considering one's specific history. If you are maintaining a balanced diet and exercise regime you will not require (in general) any additional nutrients. If you are increasing your exercise level you will need to increase your nutritional intake to account for the change. There is no reason to be eating more (if already a proper diet) and/or supplementing your diet if you are not changing your level of activity (often times you are already taking in too many calories). How is it possible that I rode +100 mile days in freezing weather for months without using energy gels/drinks/supplements, vitamins, increased protein intake, etc. You know sometimes nature provides what you need without going to overpriced products designed for top level athletes, but that are marketed to average people doing nothing that requires anything more than a good balanced diet. Even worse are people parroting the marketing that they have succumbed to, and then touting a product that they cannot provode any empirical evidence as to how it would benefit another (or even it it actually benefitted themselves.
I ask again; if you are going to give advice regarding what you are telling others to consume then you should provide a disclaimer that you are or are not a trained/certified nutritionist, and also what evidence you are basing your claims on. I am not a doctor, or nutritionist and I will not advise others to take drugs, supplements, make dietary changes, etc. as an amateur. Ask me about engineering where I have been educated, certified, and have decades of experience; and I might give you some advice (only if I already know the expected outcome; I will not consult on experimental projects).

[ReapThaWhirlwind]

(11-01-2024, 04:01 PM)enkei Wrote:  Also, resistance training, like lifting weights, adds to this mix, in terms of both overall health and boosting testosterone levels.

I reckon a mix of the kinds of aerobic training and supplements that @ReapThaWhirlwind has detailed, combined with weights, bodyweight workouts, flexibility exercises, and meditation is probably ideal.

Heavy resistance training will drain testosterone actually, because it's greatly expended to rebuild muscle tissue microdamage.

Cardio as I described is what you use to boost it again.

[enkei]

(11-02-2024, 11:36 AM)Jesper Wrote:  Do not forget sex! Great overall workout for all ages (within the legal and ethical considerations).

I never forget sex!

[rydabent]

(10-30-2024, 12:38 PM)ReapThaWhirlwind Wrote:  It's been proven that aerobic activity, especially ones where you pace your breath, boosts various biological processes in the body which contributes to healthy body composition. This also includes protecting the length of telomeres! Of which, I also take lots of colostrum, which is the only nature source of Telomerase. When you get into an aerobic zone, your body begins to upregulate metabolites to prime the activity. When you stop, if you haven't totally expended everything through heavy anaerobic activity, that surplus then gets stored in your cells and boosts retention!

We all might be cyclers here, but some of us might not be getting the fullest benefit from our cycling.

And there's one big tip that might help more than anything else—sprint.

Make sure you get a decent sprint in each ride if you can. I'm talking about an all out attack or something as close to this as possible. If your don't get that stimulation from the nervous system, then you won't be getting the fullest benefits from your cycling stimulation.

Another I would like to point out is—supplement.

We can't just cycle and expect everything to come naturally. You need to be boosting, especially as you age, key aspects that keep your body composition peak as its natural capacity to sustain this can begin to diminish. This includes boosting NAD+ (which you can do with liposmal forms); NAC and Glutathion; Beet Powder and Mushrooms (for Nitrates); Glycine, Taurine, Arginine (the big three aminos to boost, with Cartinine wanting to trail). Taking a BCAA or EAA drink once to twice daily with this is prime. Boosting whole protein consumption too, especially Collagen Peptides before activity is excellent. Always have a protein shake before bed. It helps you to heal, sleep, and ward off nightmares. Onions will also help to boost testosterone if you're male, and I would further suggest getting a natural test booster (such as Andro Stim Liquescence or Muscle Maker Plus)—because they work wonders alongside abstinence retention. Splitting a multivitamin across the day wants to be common sense; but alongside that, getting extra B vitamins, extra D3, and extra magnesium wants to be crucial.

Definitely consider the underlined if nothing else. Boosting these compounds is what really enables your body to unlock the anti-aging benefits of your cycling activity.

My brother worked his whole life at a Pharmaceutical Co. He worked with a whole bunch of PHD pharmacist, and they recommend taking a vitamin and mineral tablet every day. I have done so most of my adult life. Im 86, have few old age problems. I ride 20+ miles every other day weather permitting. I ride a tadpole trike, not because I have to, but because of a number of excellent things a trike brings to cycling.

[Flowrider]

One positive and one negative of riding a bike a lot as we age...

Negative...shortens your hamstrings and affects your sit bones...

POSITIVE!... ZERO physical impact on your body like running does...(unless you fall off!)😅

[GirishH]

I love the general idea of this thread, but when it comes to nutrition or food, I listen to my body or do what feels right.

As some know, I used to practice 15-16+ hours of intermittent fasting while cycling. I’m vegetarian, avoid sugars, and rarely use electrolytes.

Currently, I am bikepacking through the eastern flangs of the Himalayas and the terrain is challenging and food situation even more.

Last month, I cycled through 42
°C heat, eating vegetarian food (rotis, vegetables, and eggs) whenever I could find it. And, a couple of days I did 95+ miles.

Sometimes, in remote areas, there was no food available, so I’d make do with some peanuts I carry for emergency and sleep. Only, during those scorching days did I use WHO-prescribed Oral Rehydration Salts, which cost less than 25 cents per packet—much cheaper than branded electrolytes. That's because I knew how much I had sweat. Inspite of drinking 8+ liters of water during the day, body didn't need to pee even once during the 12- hours..

In some of these remote, mountainous locations, the locals eat very simple meals: unpolished brown or red rice with steamed, spice-free vegetables. Occasionally, there’s tiny bits of meat, probably a western bite size.

Despite this minimal diet, these people work tirelessly—often from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.—laboring in fields, forests, or other physically demanding jobs.

This reminded me of the Tarahumara tribe featured in Born to Run. Their diet is almost entirely corn-based with minimal meat or extras, yet they are true ultra-runners, embodying endurance and resilience.

Going back to the original idea of cycling being anti-aging, I completely agree and am successfully able to anti-age as long as I keep my cap and helmet. When folks ask my age, I simply remove cap and let them see my balding head..:-)

---

People often ask if I get bored of cycling, and I tell them it’s like meditation. It gives you so much time with yourself—time to think, reflect, and ponder. With no phone distractions, it’s pure one-on-one time with your own thoughts.

It’s a lonely but deeply rewarding way to anti -age..

When in doubt, pedal on.

My personal take: When in doubt whether I can climb a hill, I just put my head down and pedal on.

So, in addition to anti-aging, cycling is anti-depressant or confident-booster for me. I can achieve whatever I set my heart on, as long as I give my best..

(11-01-2024, 04:01 PM)enkei Wrote:  Also, resistance training, like lifting weights, adds to this mix, in terms of both overall health and boosting testosterone levels.

I reckon a mix of the kinds of aerobic training and supplements that @ReapThaWhirlwind has detailed, combined with weights, bodyweight workouts, flexibility exercises, and meditation is probably ideal.

[Flowrider]

Love this thread, but we must be careful not to overthink it.
Just go out, ride, have fun and enjoy yourself!
Life's too short to dwell on negatives for things we love! "

[GirishH]

Yes, I totally agree about going with the flow than over-analyzing everything especially when everyone is built differently.

We ride because we enjoy it and it makes us feel good.

Life's truly short especially "healthy" life or when we can act and be kids.

So, let it go and enjoy..