The most important reason to be active is that you can lower your risk of developing a chronic disease. Being physically active is beneficial to your health and it will also help you live a longer life.
Exercise improves brain health
Physical exercise promotes cognitive abilities, memory, and learning. Exercise also lowers stress and anxiety. It may even help stave off the onset of dementia.
In fact, some studies show that even small bursts of physical activity can improve mental acuity. Researchers say the best way to reap the benefits of exercise is to start as early as possible. However, a recent study shows that even those who started their exercise regimen later in life see a positive effect.
For starters, exercise increases blood flow to the brain. The higher the blood flow, the more nutrients and oxygen the brain can get. Also, it reduces oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is a major contributor to many neurological problems. This is because free radicals can damage cells.
Exercise also boosts the production of a brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which promotes the growth of new neurons. BDNF helps the brain fight off metabolic precursors of Alzheimer’s.
Earlier studies showed that aerobic exercise improves the size of the hippocampus, a critical area of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Studies have shown that regular exercise boosts the production of irisin, a hormone produced by the muscles during exercise. Moreover, high levels of irisin have been linked to a decreased risk of Alzheimer’s.
According to the updated edition of the Physical Activity Guidelines, the brain-related health benefits of exercise are numerous. These include reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting sleep. Another benefit of exercise is its ability to increase the production of neurotransmitters. These are chemicals that regulate mood, stimulate memory, and help the brain grow and repair itself.
While there are many physical activities that have been found to enhance brain health, it’s important to choose the ones you enjoy. You’ll be more likely to stick with an exercise routine if you like it. Ideally, you’ll want to do multiple types of exercise for better results.
For example, you could start with a walking program to improve blood flow, or you could try swimming. You can even learn how to dance. No matter which type of exercise you do, you’re sure to improve your overall physical and mental well-being.
Exercise increases life expectancy
Exercise increases life expectancy by at least 2 to 4 years, according to new research. Having more exercise means you will live longer and reduce your risk of cancer and other chronic diseases. Getting up and moving can also boost your mood and increase energy levels.
Physical activity lowers all-cause mortality by 30 to 35 percent. A study published in the American Heart Association’s Circulation found that exercising for three hours a week added a total of 3.5 years to a person’s lifespan.
In addition to increasing lifespan, regular physical activity improves sleep and boosts the immune system. It also lowers cholesterol and blood pressure.
The findings may surprise some people. Researchers say they aren’t sure why a modest increase in exercise correlated with a 29 percent reduction in cardiovascular death risk.
In the past, it has been widely assumed that you need to spend a lot of time exercising to enjoy its benefits. But new research suggests that being physically fit holds true no matter what your age.
A study of more than 200,000 adults over the age of 45 found that physical activity had a positive effect on mortality. After analyzing the records of participants, researchers found that the risk of dying during the study was 19 percent lower among participants who walked briskly compared to those who did not.
A study of more than 116,000 adults also showed that a modest increase in exercise had a beneficial impact on life expectancy. This effect was more pronounced in participants who reported 150 to 300 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a week.
Other studies have shown that having a lower body mass index (BMI) is linked to better longevity. However, fewer studies have examined the relationship between exercise and lifespan. Another study examined the effects of moderate to vigorous physical activity on health over a span of six decades.
These findings present the potential of exercise in a clearer light. If you’re considering getting more active, start by finding a friend to exercise with or find an activity you can do on your own.
Exercise reduces the risk of developing a chronic disease
Several studies show that regular physical activity can help reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease. Chronic diseases include cancer, heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. These illnesses can affect people of all ages. People who are overweight have a greater chance of contracting these diseases.
The benefits of exercise include increased energy, better blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and stronger muscles. Exercise can also reduce pain and stress. For individuals with certain types of cancer, a regular workout can improve treatment and reduce the chance of dying from the disease.
Exercise reduces inflammation in the body. This is linked to most chronic diseases. It can also increase insulin sensitivity, which can help reduce the risk of heart attacks and other complications.
Exercise has been found to lower the risk of thirteen forms of cancer. It is recommended that adults engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate cardiovascular activity or two days of muscle-strengthening exercise each week. In addition, exercise can prevent the development of diabetes.
Using a Cox proportional hazards model, researchers evaluated the effects of physical activity on the occurrence of 13 chronic diseases. They studied participants who were randomly assigned to a sedentary or physical activity group. Study subjects were aged 19 to 98. Researchers asked participants to exercise at an activity facility for an hour each day for one year.
Those who were physically active had a 50% lower rate of chronic disease than those who were sedentary. Physical inactivity was associated with an increased risk of all of these chronic conditions.
Exercise can help people of all ages with chronic illness. Depending on the type of condition, exercise can reduce symptoms, reverse the progression of the condition, and help patients maintain a healthy weight.
Physical activity is a free way to lower your risk of chronic diseases. You can start by taking a walk, stretching, or gardening. Work with your doctor to develop an exercise routine that fits your needs and is safe.
Some of the chronic conditions that are linked to exercise include high cholesterol, diabetes, and heart disease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that adults be physically active for at least 150 minutes each week.
Staying active helps prevent and manage noncommunicable diseases
Staying active is important for preventing and managing non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 9% of all deaths worldwide are due to physical inactivity. Increasing your activity level will decrease your risk of developing and dying from chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
People who don’t get enough physical activity are at a 20-30 percent higher risk of dying than those who do. Physical inactivity is a leading risk factor for noncommunicable disease mortality. While there are many reasons why people don’t exercise, the most common are lack of access to physical activities, low motivation, and limited time.
In addition to increasing your ability to complete daily tasks, physical activity also has a range of other health benefits. For example, it helps maintain a healthy body weight and reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer, and hypertension. It also improves your mobility and enhances your cognitive performance. Additionally, it can improve your mental health, which can help prevent depression and suicide. And, it can increase your immune competency, which can help protect you from infection.
To get started, you may consider a variety of activities. Among the most popular are walking, active recreation, and cycling. You can also find information on programs in your city or town that promote physical activity. Ideally, you should look for programs that include workplace-friendly activities, public awareness, and motivational communications.