There is an overload of information about benefits of exercise, exercise programs and the like on internet. Most of this information is either meant for weight loss or to help athletes reach peak performance. But regular exercise is one of the most effective tools for healthy aging as well. It offers a number of benefits that can help you lead a long and healthy life.

Avoid diseases with regular exercise

With sedentary lifestyle gradually becoming a norm, exercise is more important than ever. Lack of exercise makes you susceptible to a number of lifestyle diseases like obesity, high blood pressure, coronary heart diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis and more. Regular exercise can significantly reduce the risk of all these diseases.

Studies prove that exercise can add years to your life. Moderately and highly active 65 year olds can expect an additional 12.7 and 18.4 disability free years respectively.

Walk away your metabolic syndrome

Heart diseases and diabetes have five main risk factors. These include high blood pressure, high blood sugar and low levels of HDL or ‘good’ cholesterol. When a person has three or more of these risk factors, he is said to have metabolic syndrome. Studies indicate that even without changes in diet, regular 30 minute brisk walk can have dramatic effect on metabolic syndrome.

According to some surveys, the percentage of people having metabolic syndrome in the U.S is as high as 25 percent. A resolve to take a brisk walk of 30 minutes daily can ensure that you are not among these.

Exercise for a younger DNA

Telomeres are the protective ends of a chromosome that shorten with age. In a research to study the effect of exercise on aging, the length of telomeres was used as a factor to measure age. The results of this study indicate that people who exercise for at least 3 hours in a week have longer telomeres, making their DNS nine years younger than those who didn’t exercise. Shorter telomeres indicate a higher risk of diseases like mental difficulties, cancer, hypertension and more.

Gain not just longevity, but much more with exercise

Other than reducing risk of many diseases and helping you lead a longer and healthier life, exercise has many other benefits as well. Exercise increases energy levels keeping you fit and active. Exercise, especially in the morning, is known to improve sleep. It also helps keep your brain sharp. Better sex life is linked to higher physical activity. People who regularly exercise are less prone to common colds as exercise improves the immune system as well.

It’s never too late to start exercising

Whether you are 65 or 85, it’s never too late to start exercising. Cognitive impairments are very common among older adults, especially above the age of 85, exercise can prevent this. According to a study, people over the age of 85 who exercised at least 4 hours a week reduced their risk of cognitive impairment by 88 percent. To lead a long and healthy life, you need to make exercise a part of your daily routine.

Author Bio: Teisha Mahabir specializes in writing articles about health, diet, longevity and health specialists like Brenda Rusnak. Brenda Rusnak is a health care specialist who writes about health-aging and prevention. For more information about healthy-aging and Brenda Rusnak, check her out at brendarusnak.com.

Category: Aging
Keywords: exercise,longevity,healthy,aging,elderly,seniors,workout,