Can Aging Be Slowed?

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Added: Mon. Jul 02, 2012 11:37am
Posted in: Aging

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Healthy Bones, Joints, Muscles, & More

Generally for most people, health becomes more of an issue as they grow older. People try all sorts of things to get healthy or remain healthy such as taking medications, eating a nutritious diet, getting regular sleep, maintaining good hygiene, and trying to keep a positive attitude. Some of these tactics work, some do not, and some may do more harm than good. However, one simple thing you can do to age healthy is exercise.

Exercise does wonders for your entire body. Proper routine exercise can help your body’s joints and ligaments by stretching them and increasing their blood flow. Exercise generally leads to healthy weight loss which in turn reduces the amount of weight and stress placed on your body’s joints. As people age, they become more susceptible to injuries. For example, as our bones get older they become less dense over time which is a main reason for the many catastrophic injuries among the elderly. That is why it is very important to engage in low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, light weight-lifting, and bicycling. For people who are unable to engage in these exercises, there are many simple stretching activities that are great for your body as well. You may not experience your desired weight loss with just stretching as opposed to swimming or bicycling but activities like Yoga and Pilates are still great for your muscles, bones, ligaments, joints, etc. If you or a loved one is at a higher than normal risk for health/injury complications it may be wise to utilize some kind of senior medical alarm to ensure safety measures are in place.

Cardiovascular Health Benefits

Proper routine exercise is extremely beneficial for your cardiovascular system for many reasons. Exercise helps prevent strokes and heart disease by strengthening your heart muscle, improving blood flow, and lowering bad cholesterol levels. Physical activity also helps prevent the development of high blood pressure (HBP) and helps those with HBP lower their blood pressure. Proper routine exercise helps reduce body fat which in turn reduces many risks such as developing diabetes, HBP, heart disease, and obesity. As you grow older, exercise becomes more essential to your health and can keep you looking and feeling younger.

Can Exercise Slow Aging?

Many researchers believe that engaging in regular exercise can slow the aging process. One main way exercise does this is by reducing the many health risks associated with growing older. The Arthritis Foundation posted an article related to this topic and referenced a research study by King’s College in London. Previous studies show that daily exercise can help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and osteoporosis. However, their most recent study shows that daily exercise may even slow down the aging process itself.

There are numerous benefits to exercising on a regular basis and we only touched on a few of the main ones. It is a good idea to consult with your doctor to understand your specific capacity, abilities, and/or limitations you have regarding physical activity. Take that next step in becoming a healthier you!