15 diseases that are prevented by practicing physical exercise
Physical exercise is one of the healthiest habits that human beings can perform , and there are many studies that confirm this. And is that sports practice brings many benefits for general health: improves mood, reduces stress, improves sleep quality ...
If you are one of those people who like to exercise regularly and get used to exercising daily, you should know that, in addition, you are doing a great favor to your body, because this practice helps prevent diseases. On the other hand, if you do not like to put on your tracksuit, your health can suffer the negative consequences of your sedentary lifestyle.
- Related article: "The 10 psychological benefits of practicing physical exercise"
Diseases that can be prevented by practicing physical exercise
But, What kind of diseases can we prevent with the practice of regular exercise?
Below you can find a list of the 16 diseases that you can get rid of if you have an active lifestyle.
1. High blood pressure
There are many researches that have been made to try to find out what are the benefits of aerobic training. Run, swimming or cycling have been shown to be very effective in controlling blood pressure . In addition, if we combine this type of exercise with a healthy diet, our body will thank us.
2. Heart diseases
Another benefit that is usually associated with aerobic training is that This training system prevents heart diseases (such as myocardial infarction, arrhythmias, etc.) and heart problems, in addition to the aforementioned hypertension. Moderate aerobic training is enough to improve our health status.
3. Overweight and obesity
Overweight and obesity have become in recent years a serious public health problem. The sedentary lifestyle and poor diet a large part of the population of industrialized societies are some of the causative factors.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the world there are 1,900 million adults who are overweight, of which more than 600 million suffer from obesity. Planned training can be key to reducing this disease. Of course, always accompanied by a healthy diet.
- Related article: "Types of obesity: characteristics and risks"
4. Type II diabetes
Diabetes is a disease with a high prevalence worldwide, and is characterized by a series of metabolic disorders that increase the level of blood glucose (hyperglycemia). Recent research shows that physical exercise reduces the risk of suffering it by 42%. Among other benefits, physical training improves the body's ability to use insulin.
5. Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a disease of the bones that produces a decrease in the density of bone mass. And is that physical exercise is key to have a strong skeleton. Strength training improves bone density and prevents bone deterioration. Not only that, but reduces fractures by 17% .
6. Stress
Stress, along with obesity, is also one of the epidemics of the last century , which often has its origin in the lifestyle of Western societies. According to science, physical exercise can be effective not only to prevent it but also to reduce it, because it lowers the levels of one of the hormones related to this condition: cortisol.
- You can go deeper and learn more about this hormone in our article: "Cortisol: the hormone that generates stress"
7. High cholesterol
High cholesterol is associated with multiple diseases. Studies show that both cardiovascular exercise and strength training are beneficial in reducing it. Both healthy diet and physical exercise lower bad cholesterol and they increase the levels of good cholesterol or HDL.
8. Eye diseases
Eye diseases can also be prevented with physical training . According to a study conducted by the Investigative Ophtalmology & Visual Science, running frequently can decrease the risk of macular degeneration by 19%.
9. Arthritis
Moderate endurance training that focuses on a full range of movement is an effective way to prevent and reduce arthritis, as it helps strengthen the muscles that surround the joints.
10. Alzheimer's
One of the psychological benefits of practicing exercise is that it improves memory and helps prevent Alzheimer's. Practicing physical activity between 25 and 45 years increases brain chemicals that prevent the degeneration of hippocampal neurons.
11. Depression
Depression is a mental illness that can become serious and may need psychological treatment. But there are different types of depression, of them less severe. Physical exercise can be effective in reducing less pronounced depressions, as it helps to release chemicals in the brain that are related to mood (for example, serotonin or endorphins). In addition, it improves self-esteem.
12. Fibromyalgia
Physical exercise helps prevent the worsening of fibromyalgia and it works very well for pain management. Especially those moderate resistance workouts such as Tai Chi or Pilates.
13. Cancer
Cancer is a serious disease that can be prevented if a series of healthy habits are followed, including the practice of physical exercise. According to an investigation of the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, women who practice moderate physical exercise for two and a half hours a week are less likely to suffer from breast cancer.
14. Anxiety
Anxiety is another of the psychological disorders that can be prevented with physical training. It also reduces symptoms in less severe cases, because neurotransmitters released during and after exercise can help people who suffer from anxiety to calm down.
15. Colds and the flu
Physical exercise has also been shown to be very effective in strengthening the immune system , which helps to suffer less colds and even less flu-like processes.
