One of the many benefits of exercise includes optimizing you bodies ability to combat disease. Unfortunately, less than 5 percent of adults participate in 30 minutes of physical activity daily and only one in three adults received the recommended amount of weekly physical activity. More than 80 percent of adults do not meet the guidelines for both aerobic and muscle strengthening activities! (1)
Exercise helps to control weight, improve mood, boosts energy, improves sleep and even improves sexual intimacy
Exercise helps to control weight, improve mood, boosts energy, improves sleep and even improves sexual intimacy. (2) One study adds to this list the ability of exercise to dramatically lower your risk of 13 types of cancer! (3)
Study finds that exercise lowers your risk of developing 13 different types of cancer
The Harvard study examined information about 1.4 million people ages 19-98 that was collected over an 11 year time period. The study found that people who were most active reduced their risk of 13 different types of cancer. Exercise lowered the risk of esophageal cancer by 42 percent, liver cancer by 27 percent, lung cancer by 26 percent, kidney cancer by 23 percent, stomach cancer by 22 percent, endometrial cancers by 21 percent, leukemia by 20 percent, myeloma by 17 percent, colon cancer by 16 percent, head and neck cancer by 15 percent, rectal and bladder cancer by 13 percent and breast cancer by 10 percent. (3)
Exercise has been shown to change hormone levels, reduce disease-causing inflammation, improve digestion and balance energy. You don’t have to spend hours out of the day exercising, but research is firm in proving that exercise is a necessary part of a healthy lifestyle. If the idea of exercise is overwhelming, the study found that moderate intensity exercise for short bouts resulted in cancer prevention benefits. (3)
Moderate intensity exercise for short periods of time cancer provide cancer prevention benefits
If you struggle to make exercise a part of your daily routine, first identify a type of exercise that you enjoy and consider whether exercise could be a part of your current routine. Walking or biking to work is an excellent way to increase your exercise without significantly altering your routine. Using free weights while watching your favorite show or push-ups during commercial breaks. Start small, build upon it and remember, there are no excuses, if you want to be healthy, exercise is a must!
Sources included:
(1) http://www.fitness.gov/resource-center/facts-and-statistics/
(2) http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389?pg=2
(3) https://draxe.com/your-risk-13-cancers-lower-when-you-do-this/
