06/11/2025
Unhealthy diets are by far our greatest risk factor for disease and death. However, physical activity is important for our health and longevity and should be encouraged as part of an overall healthy lifestyle.
Population studies have found a correlation between regular aerobic exercise and decreased risk of at least 35 different diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer.
Physical activity can help lower inflammation, as well as decrease DNA damage and facilitate DNA repair. A meta-analysis of cohort studies of middle-aged and older individuals, with follow-ups as long as 20 years, found that exercising adults were more likely to age successfully than sedentary individuals.
Exercise may also improve cognition, enhance mood, and generally improve quality of life. The evidence supporting the overall health benefits of physical activity are overwhelming.
Exercise is such powerful medicine that researchers at Stanford and the London School found that exercise may work as well as drugs for patients with coronary heart disease, heart failure, and pre-diabetes––and even better than some medications for stroke.
Just like any medicine, though, might exercise have an upper limit for benefitting our health and longevity? I cover that in the video “How Much Exercise Is Too Much?” at https://see.nf/3ZM4H6h
Walking is among the safest of physical activities, averaging only about one injury per thousand hours. So if you are just getting started with lifestyle changes, consider walking. For even more health benefits, take a walk in a wooded park for the added benefits of boosting your anticancer immunity.
Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your medication or exercise routine.
To learn more, see the following videos:
“Exercise Is Medicine” at https://see.nf/3XGSyNc
“How Many Steps Should We Get Every Day?” at see.nf/47pIkFd
“Boosting Anticancer Immunity with Forest Bathing” at see.nf/forestbathing
PMID: 29634829, 30640736, 29887832, 32350152, 28438770, 33044541, 28708630, 26476429, 15088246, 31001682, 18336737
doi: 10.1123/japa.8.4.407
