There are more benefits to regular exercise than simply shifting the pounds – increasing your physical activity can do wonders for your general wellbeing and reduce the risk of health problems brought on by obesity and high blood pressure. In fact, studies have shown that regular exercise can reduce your risk of more than twenty illnesses, including heart disease and cancer.
BRAIN
Research has shown that keeping fit can limit your risk of dementia and memory loss through increasing the size of the hippocampus, the area of the brain responsible for making memories. Additionally, regular exercise has been proven to reduce the risk of developing symptoms of depression.
BREASTS
Just one and a quarter hours of brisk walking each week can help to lower the oestrogen levels in the female body, which lowers the risk of breast cancer by 18 per cent.
BONES
A 45 minute step aerobics class, three times a week, will improve bone density – this is great news for women, of whom one in three will suffer from the bone thinning condition osteoporosis. This form of exercise is great for your spine, legs and heels, as is heavy resistance training which increases bone mass by putting stress on the joints you are working.
APPETITE
The hormone grehlin, that which stimulates your appetite, can be greatly reduced by intense exercise, whilst the peptide YY levels are increased, those which lower the appetite levels. If you don’t want to take part in strenuous activity, you could opt for a simple brisk 15 minute walk to lower you chocolate cravings by up to 12 per cent.
HEART
Studies suggest that regular exercise can add around 4 years to your life, as well as lowering your systolic blood pressure by as much as 5 to 10mmHg – as effective as some blood pressure medications. You should try and do around 30 minutes of aerobic activity 5 or 6 times a week.
PANCREAS
If you want to lower your risk of type 2 diabetes, you should aim for weight lifting exercises to improve your lean muscle mass – for every 10 per cent increase in muscle mass, your risk of pre-diabetes should drop by as much as 12 per cent.
GUT
Surprisingly, physical activity can be an effective form of treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome – 3 to 5 workouts each week of 20-60 minutes intense exercise can improve bowel movements, relieve gas and help ease constipation.
SEX DRIVE
Weight lifting can increase the level of testosterone, and women who have higher levels of testosterone tend to feel more aroused and enjoy sex more than those who don’t. It is suggested that around 20 minutes of cardio exercise will help your body to become aroused more quickly.
Leading a more active lifestyle can not only improve your fitness and help you to maintain a healthy weight, but it will also provide you with a number of other health benefits as well, such as a happy disposition and less illnesses.
Comments are closed.