I love Tuesdays because the New York Times runs its excellent Science section.In Jane Brody's column in today's Personal Health column, for example, she quotes Frank Hu, an epidemiologist at the Harvard School of Public Health, as saying: "The single thing that comes close to a magic bullet, in terms of its strong and universal benefits, is exercise.”
Brody writes exercise can lower the risk of heart attack, stroke, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, depression, dementia, osteoporosis, gallstones, diverticulitis, falls, erectile dysfunction, peripheral vascular disease and 12 kinds of cancer. It can also be beneficial if you already have one of those conditions, or ailments such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, congestive heart failure or osteoarthritis.
But how can you exercise if you’re always tired or in pain or have trouble breathing?
Here are a few of the answers:
- Diabetes: Exercise improves glucose tolerance so less medication is needed to control blood sugar, reducing the risk of life-threatening complications.
- Joint and neuromuscular disorders: Exercise that increases strength and aerobic capacity can reduce pain, depression and anxiety and improve function, balance and quality of life.
- Rheumatoid arthritis: Exercise that builds gradually and protects inflamed joints can diminish pain, fatigue, morning stiffness, depression and anxiety, improve strength, walking speed and activity.
- Multiple Sclerosis: Water exercises are particularly helpful as they avoid overheating.
- Parkinson’s Disease: Resistance training and aerobic exercise can increase the ability to function independently and improve balance, stride length, walking speed and mood.
- Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease; Resistance training, along with aerobic exercise, is especially helpful as it counters the loss of muscle mass and strength from lack of oxygen.
For the complete article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/29/health/29brod.html?_r=1&ref=health&oref=slogin
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