Exercise Will Reduce Risk of Cancer & Dementia

Exercise is a wonderful thing. It's absolutely a motivator to read about the benefits of walking, my preferred way of getting exercise.

Exercise reduces the risk of colon cancer and probably breast cancer. New research confirms this, according to the University of California, Berkeley Wellness Letter (May 2009). The British Journal of Cancer combined the results of 52 studies and found that physical activity reduces the risk by 24%, on average. And a recent German study of nearly 10,000 women concluded that physical activity could indeed help protect against breast cancer, especially for women over 50.

Research has consistently found that staying physically active is a key to preserving brain function. Studies have shown that older people who get regular exercise are less likely to decline mentally or develop dementia. Aerobic exercise such as running or cycling seems especially beneficial, but any activity can help, including strength training and ballroom dancing (these two were the focus of recent studies). Exercise probably benefits the brain by lowering blood pressure, improving blood flow, controlling weight, and improving cholesterol levels and blood sugars. In addition, brain scans show that aerobic exercise can actually improve brain activity and produce new brain cells and connections between them.

I'm posting this as I get ready to go out and walk my 3 miles. As I said, this kind of news is a great motivator.