Research
Hormonal
Skeletal muscle acts as an endocrine organ that regulates systemic aging and lifespan through the secretion of myokines (e.g., IL-6, irisin, FGF-21) and metabolic adaptations, rather than solely through mechanical or mass-based effects.
Prioritize resistance training and aerobic exercise not just for muscle size, but to trigger the release of myokines like irisin and IL-6. These chemicals signal your liver, fat, and brain to improve metabolism and resist aging. Consistent movement is a chemical factory for longevity.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
In addition to exercise and indirect effects of muscle metabolism, growing evidence suggests that muscle-derived growth factors and cytokines, known as myokines, modulate systemic physiology. Myokines may influence the progression of age-related diseases and contribute to the intertissue communication that underlies systemic aging.
Why this rating
Based on a review of multiple high-impact studies in mammals and Drosophila, though specific human clinical trial data for lifespan extension is limited.
Source
The influence of skeletal muscle on systemic aging and lifespan
Fabio Demontis et al. · Aging Cell · 2013
DOI 10.1111/acel.12126
narrative_reviewCited 237×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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