Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, once said, “That which is used develops; that which is not wastes away." Nearly 2,400 years ago, Hippocrates recognized that even though aging is a natural part of our life cycle, for many it is more accelerated than in others. Why is this? Many different factors play a role, such as the food we choose to eat, the environment we live in, and our lifestyle habits – including how active we choose to be physically. Many studies conclusively show exercise does, in fact, reverse the aging process in people. The more you move your body, the more youthful it will be. Harvard researchers revealed in the Harvard Alumni Study “men who exercise regularly gain about two hours of life expectancy for each hour of exercise!"
We know exercise creates improvements down at the cellular level by improving mitochondrial functioning (how cells get their energy) and by improving gene expressions related to muscle aging and repair! It also slows down cognitive decline and helps to keeps you mentally sharp.
Exercise is a great place to start. You can begin today by choosing to go for a 20 min walk outside, take up yoga, or begin stretching in the morning. However, to be truly healthy, we must live a healthy lifestyle. We need to get enough sleep, find ways to mitigate stress, eat wholesome foods, avoid alcohol and tobacco, and maintain a healthy weight.
Let Precision Health Alaska help you get started today. Programs for exercise, diet, and lifestyle changes are offered through PHA’s membership programs to help you get started and stay on track and help you use exercise to reverse the aging process!