Top Health Benefits of Exercise
It’s no secret that exercise is essential for good overall health. Experts suggest that healthy adults get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, 4-5 times per week to stay in good shape. Moderate-intensity exercise is at a brisk pace which makes it slightly difficult to have a conversation while working out. You should also break a sweat during moderate-intensity exercises.
Some people believe that if they are at a healthy weight based on Body Mass Index (BMI), they don’t need to exercise. But exercise is about more than just losing weight. Exercise is important for everyone, regardless of their weight or BMI. Some of the top health benefits that you’ll get with regular exercise include:
Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke
Research indicates that just 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, five times per week, is enough to prevent cardiovascular disease. Bump it up to 40 minutes and you’re also bumping up the stroke prevention benefits. If you engage in vigorous exercise, you can lower the amount of time required.
Better Blood Glucose Level Regulation
Exercise boosts insulin sensitivity in the body, meaning that it is used more effectively to capture glucose in the bloodstream. Exercise also causes muscle contractions that boost glucose uptake, further lowering your blood glucose levels in the short term. Regular exercise can lower blood glucose enough to affect A1C levels too.
Boosts Cognition
You might not be working out your brain per se, but exercise has some pretty big benefits for your brainpower. The increased blood flow by itself brings oxygen and nutrients to the brain, helping it function better and stay flexible longer.
Reduces Mental Illness Symptoms
People who exercise regularly report fewer feelings of depression and anxiety. Exercise releases chemicals in the brain, including endorphins, that give you a boost of energy and a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. Research even indicates that exercise should be included in treatment plans for the mentally ill for the best outcomes.
Strengthens Musculoskeletal System
Cardio is great for your health, but you need to balance it with weight-lifting and resistance exercises for a well-rounded workout. Weight-lifting and resistance exercises strengthen both the bones and muscles, which can also reduce the risk of developing osteoporosis and reduce the risk of falls. This is why so many physical and occupational therapists recommend weight-lifting exercises for the elderly.
Helps Balance Sleep Cycles
Regular exercise helps you fall asleep faster and have better sleep quality, according to research. The type and intensity aren’t the biggest factors, as just about any activity for 30 minutes or more will lead to better sleep that night. Long-term benefits don’t take months or years to see either, making exercise one of the quickest ways to improve sleep as well.
Increased Sexual Desire
For men, the boost of blood flowing through the arteries also gives a boost to the penis, lowering the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and low sperm count. Being physically active also makes having sex more fun, releasing even more endorphins and boosting mood.
Women also get a slight boost in sexual arousal from the increased blood flow after moderate to vigorous exercise, but the real benefit comes from the release of hormones and neurotransmitters that give women feelings of sexual satisfaction.
Regenerative Medicine Prioritizes Physical Activity
Regenerative medicine practitioners know how important exercise is and can combine it with other treatments to get you functioning at peak levels sooner. To find a regenerative medicine practitioner near you that can help you develop an exercise regimen for optimum health, use our free search tool at www.regenerativemedicinenow.com.
