Why Exercise Is Good for You
Getting Into the Nitty Gritty of It.
So, you’ve been to see us at Back 4 Life Wellness Centre and you’re already feeling better. Woohoo! You want that feeling to last. You’ve probably been prescribed some exercises specific to your condition and understand the specific muscles you need to strengthen or get more flexible to stop the problem occurring again. But did you know that exercise in general is good for you? Of course, you knew that – you’ve been bombarded with health messages your whole life. What you might be curious about though is – why? What is exercise doing to our bodies that is so good for us. We’re glad you asked. Read on to find out more.
Exercise Helps You Manage Your Weight:
Yes, yes, yes. You know this one. Health messages (and online trolls) have repeatedly reminded you that being overweight is associated with lots of health conditions! But those messages have been light (pardon the pun) on details. Why is it so bad for us? To understand it we need to stop thinking about fat as something inert that we carry around with us – it is living tissue. Fat releases hormones, some of which aren’t so good for us. One such hormone is adipokine, which messes with insulin sensitivity…. Adipokine is just one of the troublemakers that increases our risk of developing Type 2 diabetes if we’re overweight. Obesity is also associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in the body; fat releases cytokines which are pro-inflammatory substances. Excess fat also puts excess strain on the heart and the joints, while the poor diet that so often gets us there puts more strain on the liver than it should have to take and gives nothing to healthy gut flora! But don’t despair – exercise does more than help burn calories. It can help you reduce the toll too much fat is taking on your body.
Exercise has Anti-Inflammatory Effects:
Regular physical activity has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects on the body. When we exercise, our muscles release anti-inflammatory cytokines, which are small proteins that help counteract inflammation. These cytokines include interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Living as we do in a stressful world, with junk food and second-hand smoke and pollutants in the air (and plenty of viruses doing the rounds) inflammation is a problem for many of us. Why does that matter? Well, chronic inflammation is linked to slower healing of injuries, to chronic pain, fatigue, mental health conditions like depression and anxiety and can damage your organs! Those anti-inflammatory cytokines are looking pretty good now – huh? Even a little bit of exercise will do you the world of good. This is important to remember – while consistency is the key to achieving fitness goals, we don’t want you to not go for a walk today because you know you won’t have time for one tomorrow. As some very famous advertisements say – just do it.
Exercise Improves Insulin Sensitivity:
Exercise improves insulin sensitivity, allowing cells to use glucose more effectively. How? Exercise can improve the intracellular pathways involved in insulin signalling, making cells more responsive to insulin’s actions. It can also reduce the levels of free fatty acids in your bloodstream, which contribute to insulin resistance. And of course, while you’re moving and burning calories there’s increased glucose uptake – so less sugar to worry about in the first place!
Exercise = Circulation
Regular exercise improves blood flow and circulation throughout the body. Efficient blood circulation ensures that immune cells, nutrients, and oxygen reach various tissues and organs. Better blood flow equals better healing. More movement brings more fluid to the joints, alleviating joint pain and stiffness and stimulates the lymphatic system giving your immune system a boost.
Exercise improves your Gut Health:
Research has shown a connection between exercise and gut health. Exercise can positively influence the gut microbiome, promoting a balanced and diverse community of beneficial bacteria. A healthy biome has been linked to improved immune function, reduced inflammation in the body and better mental health.
So, exercise is pretty great. And that’s before we even get into the more well-known benefits like strong, balanced muscles and improved mobility and balance. So, even if you’re not going to get yourself back into the jeans you wore at twenty any time soon exercise is still your friend. We’ll be back next month with the low-down on some of our favourite forms of exercise to support your chiropractic treatments. (And you can always follow us on social media for more fascinating facts and helpful hints in the meantime. Find us on Instagram or Facebook to stay up to date! And if aches and pains are stopping you from getting the exercise you need call us for an appointment today on (03) 5381 1892. The chiropractors at Back 4 Life Wellness Cantre are here to help.
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