If you are like most Americans, you don’t get enough exercise.
Like most American’s, you probably know that physical exercise helps maintain healthy body weight, bone density, muscle strength, and mobility. You probably also know that regular exercise also reduces stress, promotes overall physiological well-being and helps strengthen the immune system, and is proven to help reduce the threat of serious life-threatening conditions including; heart disease, high blood pressure and depression.
What you may not know, however, is that exercise can significantly reduce the risk of a variety of inflammation related chronic diseases and conditions such as, cancer, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular and vascular disease, and hypertension.
A study published in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society on the relationship between physical activity and inflammation showed that regular exercise, of various duration and intensity, decreases resting levels of tumor factor alpha (TNF) and C-reactive protein (CRP), both of which are inflammatory markers. What this means is that physical activity is related to lower inflammatory levels, which in turn lowers the chances of acquiring certain chronic diseases or conditions.
So the next time you have some free time, opt for a little exercise instead of another hour in front of the TV. Make improving your health through exercise a priority because years from now, you’ll be glad you did!