Exercise Can Have More Benefits Than You Thought
By Tom Herrin
Exercise can do many things for us. We usually think of exercising to lose weight, improve our cardiovascular system, improve our ability to relax and rest, increase strength, and a variety of other things. There is normally some kind of personal goal each of us has for exercising. Sometimes, we just like the good feeling we have after a workout. Any of these things can be reason enough to consider starting a routine of regular exercise. With all that said, there may be some things we are unaware of that are benefits of exercise.
Hormones Can Get A Boost
There is a lot of talk about hormones. There is also a lot of controversy about things such as hormone replacement. Any time I can obtain something naturally and avoid something artificial, I listen pretty good. Some major hormones are known to be increased by exercise. An article entitled “Hormones Released When Exercising” from an August 2013 edition of livestrong.com by Eric Brown, lists a few important hormones that are so affected:
- Testosterone - Can repair and rebuild muscle torn down by training. It essentially has to do with building bigger muscles
- Growth Hormone - Can contribute to muscle growth, joint health, immune system function, and skin health
- Thyroid Hormone - Can help increase your metabolic rate and burn fat, however, it can burn muscle as well if you don’t take in proper nutrients in your diet and after a workout
- Epinephrine - Can give you a sudden burst of strength and energy
- Insulin - Can lower your blood sugar. Several studies have shown the benefit of exercise in lowering blood sugar.
That’s Not All
As previously mentioned, exercise can boost other hormones and production of several chemicals. These can be responsible for things such as fighting depression and improving our overall mood, helping with general relaxation, and even helping to add regularity to our digestive systems. You can overdo anything, and exercise is no exception. You have to know how to get proper rest and nutrition in order for your body to work right.
When I was in high school, I got into a weightlifting routine where I failed to allow my muscles to rest properly. The result was muscles stained so severely that I couldn’t even pick up a pencil without pain. Once I rested as I should, I healed quickly. I found that under the right conditions, muscles have a great ability to heal themselves. If you are looking for a good reason to start an exercise program, maybe you can have a little more food for thought.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic.
