Benefits of Exercise Go Beyond Weight Control

By Heatherr Jumah

Exercise is one of those things that we all procrastinate with; yet know we need to be doing it.  The benefits are clear – better health and weight control, which seem like obvious motivators.  The one consistent that all health researchers are telling us is that every little bit counts, and that there is scientific research to prove it.

1.        Exercise slows down aging.  British researchers have compared the DNA of twins in which one was active, the other a slug. The telomeres, or tail ends of DNA strands were indicators of aging, getting shorter as cell’s divide and eventually dictating that cell’s death as the ends get shorter.  The more active twin had a telomere that was longer on average which indicated a longer life span.

2.       Exercise makes you smarter.  It stimulates the formation of new brain cells, and strengthens the connection between them.

3.       Exercise boosts your energy.  A University of Georgia study showed that people who took part in a three times a week, twenty minutes a day workout relieved their fatigue as much as 65% over a six week period.

4.       Regular exercise may strengthen the immune system.  Ongoing studies are showing that the aging population is staying healthier with a regular exercise program as it may delay declines in immune functions.

5.       The need for drug treatment may be reduced.  Walking for as little as 20 minutes a day, three times a week may decrease the need to visit the pharmacist.  Symptoms of depression, high cholesterol, stress, high blood pressure, and even symptoms of menopause were significantly lowered, resulting in the need for less medication.

6.       Regular exercise may ward off Alzheimer’s.  Mayo Clinic has found that people participating in moderate exercise two or more times a week had a reduced risk of developing some of the mild cognitive impairments associated with Alzheimer’s.

7.       Physical activity wards off cardiovascular disease as well as Type 2 Diabetes.  Women are often the most prone to cardiovascular disease, and studies in England showed that a regular exercise program kept the heart pumping stronger – after all, it is a muscle.   Another study has shown that type 2 diabetes risk was lowered 50-60% for those prone to developing it.

8.       Better overall wellbeing.  By implementing an exercise program, the participants felt better about themselves inside and out.  In addition to feeling stronger and healthier, regular exercise promotes better sleep habits, stress management, and even a better sex life.

The benefits of exercise far outweigh the alternative.  By keeping in mind that every little bit counts, it should motivate everyone to try little harder.