3.#2 Exercise Helps Prevent Chronic Disease and Can Reverse Some Diseases
There are several chronic conditions that exercise can reverse, improve, or prevent. For example, many people suffering from arthritisare told to exercise daily. The movement helps reduce pain and improve mobility. However, let’s take a look at three of the most common conditions that people suffer from and how exercise can help improve the lives of people who are impacted.
Type II Diabetes
Type II Diabetes affects millions of Americans and it’s reversible. With proper diet and exercise you can regain your health. If you’re familiar with Diabetes then you know that it happens when your body becomesinsulin resistant. Your cells no longer take in glucose for energy. The glucose stays in your blood stream. You end up with high blood sugar and low energy.
Exercise actually stimulates your cells to become more receptive to insulin. They need it to help you continue exercising. The blood glucose enters your cells and your body returns to a more normal level.
When you are active, your cells become more sensitive to insulin so it can work more efficiently. Your cells also remove glucose from the blood using a mechanism totally separate from insulin during exercise.
If you’re looking for an exercise that’s great for your body, try bicycling. It’s easy on your joints and you can ride at any pace that feels comfortable to you. If you struggle with bike seats and comfort, try a recumbent. The seat is more like a chair. Indoor bikes are an option if cycling outdoors isn’t easy for you.
Heart Disease
Your heart is a muscle, so exercise automatically begins to help your heart get stronger and healthier. Additionally, regular exercise actuallyhelps improve many of the risk factors that cause heart disease. Exercise improves blood pressure and reduces cholesterol, both of which are contributing factors of heart disease.
While any exercise is great for your heart, strength training improves muscle strength and endurance. Strength training can be anything from push-ups and sit-ups to weight lifting.
Dementia
Several studies have shown that exercise impacts dementia risks. People who exercised daily were least likely to develop dementia and Alzheimer’s. In fact, it may be the most important thing you can do to prevent dementia. Regular exercise may hold the key to maintaining not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind.
Try jogging or running. You can cover a few miles in about thirty minutes and it’s a great way to get your heart pumping and your bloodflowing to all organs, including your brain. Finding the right shoes for your foot and stride are critical to running pain free.
Tip – If you’re suffering from one of the diseases discussed, make sure to gradually ease into an exercise program. Give your body time to adapt to your new routine.