By Rebecca Myers, MSN, RN – Healthnews
A new study from the University of Michigan shows that grip strength is related to biological age. Biological age represents the actual aging process of a body, which accounts for higher risks of disease and early death in individuals with the same chronological age.
In an article for Newswise, Mark Peterson, Ph.D., M.S., lead author of the University of Michigan (U-M) study, says, “This (study result) suggests that if you maintain your muscle strength across the lifespan, you may be able to protect against many common age-related diseases. We know that smoking, for example, can be a powerful predictor of disease and mortality, but now we know that muscle weakness could be the new smoking.”
Smoking tobacco is one of the worst things a person can do to their health. According to the CDC, “smoking harms nearly every organ of the body.” Over 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. In addition, smoking predicts disease and mortality for the smoker.
