Even moderate physical activity can boost the immune system and protect against chronic disease. Is is part of your New Year’s resolutions to hit the gyms or hiking trails to get back in shape? Medical experts are offering additional reason to exercise now in reporting the regular workouts may help fight off colds and flu, reduce the risk of certain cancers and chronic diseases and slow the process of aging.
Physical exercise has long been know to have benefit in weight control and stress reduction. Now, a growing body of research is showing that regular exercise as simple as a brisk half hour walk five times a week can boost the bodies immune system.
Exercise has been shown to improve the body’s response the the flu, making it more effective at keeping the virus at by. Inactivity, in fact, is as great a health risk as smoking. It contributes to heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, depression, arthritis and osteoporosis. Studies show that 36% of US adults don’t engage in any leisure-time physical activities. For someone like me who hikes every day and often adds in another activity, this is surprising. I don’t think I can go two days without getting outside and hiking.
This is not about being thin. Even lean men and women who are inactive are at higher risk of death and disease. We should be thinking about physical activity and not weight first for health.
Women who exercise regularly can expect 20 to 30% reduction in the chance of getting breast cancer compared with women who do not exercise. This is possibly linked to exercise’s ability to lower estrogen levels.
Starting and exercise program can have benefit at any age but in particular for those over 40 when physical strength, endurance, flexibility and balance begin to decline. For further assistance in helping wit hmy own flexibility, anti-aging, strength and endurance, I use Ageless Xtra.
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