Whilst this is a no-brainer for some of us, for others it’s still a mystery. Either people remain stuck in their sedentary ways or — not entirely impossible — there are some who are unconvinced that exercise benefits us in substantial ways.
Anyway, what follows is a recounting of the ‘basic’ value of exercise:
- Exercise improves blood circulation, reducing the risk of clotting in arteries
- Exercise strengthens the heart, thus lowering pressure on this crucial muscle and reducing the force on the arteries
- Exercise increases “good cholesterol” (or HDL-cholesterol) thereby reducing the risk of thickening of our arteries
- Exercise improves mental health by triggering a release in the brain of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF protects against stress by making us feel happier and supports the growth of new nerve cells in the brain.
- Exercise brings psychological benefits like self-esteem, the sense of achievement, being in control and having a purpose; one of the feel-good hormones released, endorphins, also benefits the immune system
- Exercise increases the size of the hippocampus, the seat of learning and memory in the brain (which itself releases more BDNF, producing a virtuous spiral), thus reducing the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (eg, dementia).
- Exercise releases cathepsin B, secreted by muscle cells, which enhances brain function and helps new nerves grow
- Exercise decreases fat and thus lowers background inflammatory states in the body and boosts the immune system, overall reducing the risk of cancer, arthritis, diabetes, strokes, etc.
- Exercise (especially resistance training), by building muscles, not only proffers strength and stability (especially in our skeletal structure) but also produces more mitochondria which both boosts energy and regulates the immune system
