Powerful Numbers: Exercise Promotes More than Just Strength

The pillars of good health are nutrition, exercise, relaxation and healthy lifestyle choices like not smoking. How important is exercise? A recently released report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges in London gives the numbers. . . .

The researchers analyzed more than 200 pieces of research. The results were impressive. The different studies came up with different numbers, but, putting all the research together, the report concludes that, overall, thirty minutes of moderate exercise five times a week can reduce the risk of:

-Breast cancer by 20%-30%

-Bowel cancer by 30%-50%

-Heart disease by 20%-50%

-Stroke by 20%-40%

-Type 2 diabetes by 30%-50%

-Dementia by 20%-50%

-Depression by 20%-33%

The researchers noted that these effects of exercise are better than results from many drugs. And remember, this is an easily attainable amount of exercise. Moderate exercise was described as being enough to get you slightly sweaty and to increase your heart rate. 

Report from the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, “Exercise: The miracle cure and the role of the doctor in promoting it”. See the full report at www.aomrc.org.uk/doc_download/9821-exercise-the-miracle-cure-feb-2015.html#sthash.jrN7PVMR.dpuf