Can You Affect Your Aging Process?
By Tom Herrin
Just about everyone wishes they could do something about getting older once they begin to reach a certain age. That age varies greatly, but it often hits when they realize they are less successful in some activities than they had been previously. Many studies have been done on aging, but a few things seem to be a certainty. It can be viewed from either perspective. There is no doubt that exercise can have an impact on the process. A steady effort may pay off with big dividends.
Inactivity Is Asking For Trouble
It has been pretty well a given fact that people who give up physical activity experience a greater decline than those who maintain an active schedule. Blood pressure begins to rise, the circulatory system becomes less efficient, and as a result, less oxygen is able to reach the various parts of the body. This means that people will tire more easily and be less able to perform many physical functions. While some aging is a natural process, it doesn’t mean that it is all a done deal.
Less Muscle and More Body Fat Will Happen Without a Plan
It has been shown that men will naturally increase in weight as they age. There is also a tendency for them to have less muscle and more body fat. This increase in body fat, especially in the middle area, has some kind of connection with higher LDL levels, lower HDL, and higher blood sugar. This most certainly leads to the development of much of the type 2 diabetes that is so rampant in our country these days. Both diet and exercise can bear some of the blame as people simply begin to be busier and less conscientious about their health.
The Light at the End of the Proverbial Tunnel
With all the previous being said, all is not lost. It is never too late to become more active. Any kind of exercise is a start. You should consider your own limitations, but you can most likely move to a program that will produce real results. A few months ago, I decided to make some changes in my diet, even though I usually ate pretty well. After losing only a few pounds, I found that exercise became much easier and less stressful. For the first time since I could remember, my blood sugar dropped about 10 points and my HDL, or good cholesterol, raised a few points. It was the most direct correlation I had ever experienced between weight loss and these improvements. We can’t turn back time, but we can improve our quality of life and have a more youthful body with good planning.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Huntersville, N.C.