Did you know that general physical activity is the single most influential factor for your brain’s development and function, and significantly reduces the risk of various diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, by up to 60%?
Throughout millions of years, our bodies have evolved under conditions that involved constant physical activity. Many physiological processes depend on this level of activity. When we lead a less active lifestyle, these processes can become suboptimal and eventually cease to function.
For instance, BDNF, the brain’s primary growth hormone, relies heavily on physical activity. BDNF is essential for brain plasticity, which is the brain’s ability to adapt and repair itself over time. Studies have revealed that proper brain plasticity requires at least three sessions of 30 minutes of moderate exercise per week. Below this threshold, it doesn’t work properly anymore.
Scientific research also demonstrates that engaging in physical activity 2-3 times a week can reduce your lifetime risk of dementia by 50%. A daily 20-25 minute walk can reduce your risk of stroke by nearly 60%, lower your risk of premature death by 30%, and potentially add seven years to your lifespan. On the flip side, a sedentary lifestyle has been found to be twice as deadly as obesity.
Impact on Health and Longevity
Regular physical activity can have a profound impact on overall well-being, disease risk, and lifespan. This is due to various mechanisms that occur in the body when we engage in physical activity.
Physical activity helps to maintain healthy body weight, reduce inflammation, and improve immune function. It also enhances cardiovascular function, which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Moreover, physical activity promotes the growth and maintenance of muscle mass and bone density, which reduces the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. It also supports healthy brain function, improving cognitive abilities and reducing the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Physical activity also helps to reduce stress and improve mood, leading to better mental health and overall well-being. It can also improve sleep quality, which is critical for overall health and longevity.
Overall, the mechanisms of physical activity are multifaceted and interconnected, providing numerous benefits to the body and mind. Engaging in regular physical activity is an essential component of a healthy lifestyle that can contribute to a longer, happier, and healthier life.
Improving Your General Physical Activity
General Physical Activity is one of several key risk factors that has a radical impact on your quality of life, rate of aging, risk of disease, and lifespan. However, working to improve this can be a real challenging and the journey is different for everyone.
The Longevity Institute included General Physical Activity as a risk factor in the Longevity App to help you assess your status and get guidance and continous support for improving this. If you haven’t already, download the free Longevity app now to get a powerful companion on the journey towards identifying and improving critical lifestyle risk factors to enhance your daily vitality, lower your biological age, extend your lifespan, and reduce your risk of diseases, including stress, depression, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and dementia.
References
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