This is exactly why exercise is good for you We’re constantly being told that we should not have a sedentary lifestyle, that we should move more, and that exercise is good for us. But how good, exactly? How does regular exercise actually impact our bodies and why is it so […]
This is exactly why exercise is good for you
We’re constantly being told that we should not have a sedentary lifestyle, that we should move more, and that exercise is good for us. But how good, exactly? How does regular exercise actually impact our bodies and why is it so important?
Click on the following gallery and discover the answers to these and other questions.
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It’s good for your love life
Exercise can boost your sex life by optimizing your sex hormone levels, particularly testosterone.
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It’s good for your brain
Exercise improves blood flow by making your blood vessels larger so the blood can circulate smoothly. Not only is this great news for your heart, it’s also good for your brain.
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It’s good for your brain
Improved blood flow might help prevent cognitive decline in a number of ways. Studies have shown that it can lead to a decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
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It’s good for your brain
In a study, high-intensity exercise showed an increase in the participants brains’ glucose uptake, and higher metabolic activity on the parts of the brain most affected by Parkinson’s disease.
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It’s good for memory
Exercise increases the size of the hippocampus (the part of the brain responsible for memory) and also increases nerve cell connections in the brain.
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It builds muscle
This will obviously depend on the type of exercise, but most will improve your body composition.
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Why is more muscle good?
Having more muscle mass has a number of health benefits. Namely, a decreased risk of diabetes.
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Muscle mass and diabetes
Muscle is the largest consumer of glucose after a meal, meaning that a glucose spike will be controlled faster, minimizing the risk of high blood sugar for prolonged periods of time. A scenario that’s not good for people prone to diabetes.
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Muscle mass as anti-aging
Building muscle can help fight against oxidative damage that naturally occurs as we age.
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Anti-aging
As we age, a decline in the function of mitochondria, our cells’ energy generators, occurs. The mitochondria is then unable to work properly and that can lead cells to generate more oxidants, leading to degeneration.
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Anti-aging
According to a study, aerobic exercise, on its own, or in combination with strength training, improves mitochondrial function, therefore reducing oxidative damage.
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Anti-aging
High-intensity interval training also has a similar effect, a study shows.
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Muscle works as a reservoir
Muscle stores amino acids. When an organ needs amino acids, these are usually drawn from muscle.
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Amino acids are essential for immunity
The immune system needs lots of amino acids. It uses these to make antibodies that fight infection.
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Signaling molecules
Building muscles pumps a number of molecules into the blood. These molecules, known as myokines, are released in response to muscle exertion and can actually influence how other organs work.
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Signaling molecules
These molecules help regulate muscle growth, nutrient metabolism, and inflammation, among others.
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Interleukin-6
This molecule in particular can help suppress hunger and enhance the immune system’s response to cancer.
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Cathepsin B
This other signaling molecule can actually contribute to the production of new brain cells.
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Helps fight inflammation
Chronic inflammation has been suggested as the underlying reason for many diseases to develop.
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Helps fight inflammation
Exercise can help prevent the accumulation of visceral fat, which is more inflamed than subcutaneous fat, and can contribute to chronic inflammation.
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As good as drugs?
A study found that “no statistically detectable differences were evident between exercise and drug interventions in the secondary prevention of coronary heart disease and prediabetes.”
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Diabetes
While not conclusive, another study indicated that more than half of the participants with type 2 diabetes were able to stop taking medication to lower their blood sugar within a year of taking up regular exercise.
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Stroke
A study showed that exercise was more effective than drug treatment among stroke patients.
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Mental health
Another study found that “exercise improves mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and negative mood and by improving self-esteem and cognitive function.”
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Mental health
The same study also found that exercise “alleviates symptoms such as low self-esteem and social withdrawal.”
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Mental health
Exercise also helps against stress, by reducing the body’s stress hormones (e.g. adrenaline and cortisol), and by stimulating the production of endorphins (feel-good hormones).
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Sleep
According to the Sleep Foundation, exercise can help you sleep better at night and feel more alert during the day.
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Bone health
According to the NHS, regular exercise reduces the risk of osteoarthritis by 83%, and can lower the risk of hip fracture up to 68%.
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A medicine in its own right?
Exercise is shown to be an effective way to help avoid a number of conditions, and boost the immune system.
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