It’s true that we all struggle with consistency in our lives, one way or another.
Especially when it comes to exercise.
Indeed, many of us succumb to a sedentary lifestyle (or “sitting disease”).
But I hope today’s message might finally convince you of the life-saving benefits of consistently moving your body.
Because research reveals how lifelong exercise might be the closest thing there is to a real-world “fountain of youth.”
Let me explain…
Boost your immunity
A team of U.K. researchers recruited 125 healthy, amateur cyclists—between the ages of 55 and 79. (In order to qualify for this study, men had to be able to bike 62 miles in under 6.5 hours—and women had to bike 37 miles in under 5.5 hours.)
After performing a series of tests, researchers compared results from this group of cyclists to those from a group of more sedentary adults.
And let’s just say the differences were striking:
- The regular cyclists maintained their muscle mass and strength in ways that their non-exercising peers did not.
- The regular cyclists didn’t suffer the usual age-related rises in body fat and cholesterol.
- Among the active men, testosterone stayed high—suggesting they may be able to avoid “manopause” altogether.
But here’s the most impressive part…
Regular exercise also appeared to HALT the aging of subjects’ immune systems.
Exercise linked to longevity
I’ve talked to you before about the problem of “immunity rot.” This phenomenon is dangerous. (A healthy immune system is your first line of defense, not only against infections, but also against chronic inflammation and all the potentially deadly diseases it can lead to—from heart disease to cancer.)
But it’s no mystery why it happens…
Unless you proactively do something to stop it, your body’s T-cell population tends to shrink with every year after age 20.
But in this study, at least, the cyclists were making as many T-cells as a person half their age. (I trust I don’t need to explain to you how big of a deal that is.)
And according to one of this study’s lead authors: “Our research means we now have strong evidence that encouraging people to commit to regular exercise throughout their lives is a viable solution to the problem that we are living longer but not healthier.”
In other words, you don’t stop exercising because you get old—you get old because you stop exercising.
So, if you want to crush the odds and beat Father Time at his own game?
Just keep moving. It’s as simple as that.
For more life-saving benefits of exercise—and how to “re-energize” your routine—check out the June 2022 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter (“Revamp your summer exercise routine in five simple steps”). Not yet a subscriber? No problem. Click here now!
Until next week,
Dr. Fred
Source:
“A lifetime of regular exercise slows down aging, study finds.” ScienceDaily, 03/08/2018. (sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/03/180308143123.htm)