Pump Up the Exercise to Slow Down Aging
By Sabine Dorothy Docteur
With age comes wisdom, and a whole lot of other things, mainly health issues. Although it has been much sought after, there has not been an antidote found for aging. It is a natural process that will happen with or without our help. However, there is a great weapon that will slow down the effects of aging on our bodies and that is exercise. Aging does not have to make us frail, as previously thought. For adults who are getting older in age there are a number of benefits that exercise can provide.
Build Up Immunity
Exercise does wonders for the immune system of older adults. Regular physical activity can help the body build up defense mechanisms for infections and certain diseases. One of the most direct ways in which exercise does this is by contributing to good circulation. This allows the body to have its protective cells move swiftly and do a great job when necessary. Our body's immune system tends to get weaker as we age. Along with a healthy diet, physical activity is bound to boost your immune system and keep you at optimum health.
Maintain Muscle Mass
Making sure to get physical activity on a daily basis not only adds to quality of life with boosts of energy, it also provides some major preventative aspects in the aging process. As we age, our muscle mass is bound to decrease because of natural body loss of muscle mass each decade of our lives. Although, it may be difficult to regain muscle mass that is lost, prevention is possible and highly encouraged. How can we slow down the process? Getting active is one of the major ways of preventing muscle wasting. A combination of weight training and cardio should be done for best results.
Healthy Cholesterol Levels
Many individuals rely on medications to keep their cholesterol levels under control. Incorporating physical exercise in our daily routines can help older adults lower the bad cholesterol known as LDL, and increase HDL, which is the good cholesterol. Even the most modest of physical activity, such as walking 3-5 times a week for 30 minutes, will contribute to the balancing of cholesterol levels. Along with healthy eating, exercise can help balance cholesterol levels and improve overall health.
Prevention is key in the fight against diseases that creep up when age is increasing. A lifetime of exercise can provide tremendous benefits to our health and slow the effects that aging has on our bodies. To maintain vitality, youth and healthy living, it is best to keep up the exercise through the senior years. You will not regret it!
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Baton Rouge, La.