The Heart of the Matter

Heart disease strikes nearly a million people annually and its direct medical costs reach nearly a billion dollars.But,is there a way we can implement prevention to reduce the chances of acquiring it? The NIH, CDC, and American College of Sports Medicine all recommend exercise for 30 minutes at least 5 times weekly. Studies are now showing that this doesn't necessarily have to be high impact. Low impact or leisurely activity such as walks in the park, playing a game of tag with the kids or playing in the pool might have some positive effects as well.

Exercise reduces the total cholesterol while reducing the "bad" cholesterol known as LDL.The "good" cholesterol, HDL is increased as well. Blood pressure is reduced so that pressure on the heart can pump up against less stress. The strength of ejecting blood per heart beat is more efficient and can extract more oxygen for your heart and tissues.

It is believed that activity improves the regulation and balance of blood sugar by making insulin receptors more sensitive so that absorption of glucose can proceed better. Insulin resistance is what causes type 2 diabetes primarily.

Exercise slows down the heart beat so that a stronger more vigorous heart beat can pump not only more efficiently , but provides you with more cardio-pulmonary reserve and resistance. You can now do more with less energy and last longer.

There are neurological-hormonal-psychological benefits of exercise as well. Endorphins and encephalins are hormones secreted by the brain in greter amounts that can help reduce pain through natural opiod receptors. The increased pain threshold allows your body to endure more activity. The opiods can give a sense of euphoria as well.Some who exercise regularly and vigorously sometimes get what is described as an "exercise high" which exhilarates them further.

By your body's mechanisms all working harder to dilate more blood vessels to all parts such as the muscles and brain the general sense and feeling of well-being can be enhanced. Your heart beat, breathing, musculature, neuro-hormones are all on overdrive.

As the body's metabolism begins to burn more fat calories the balance between your body's needs called the basal metabolic rate*BMR) is regulated.Heat is what is released via the skin as sweat and through breath. This mechanism that is increased is your metabolism's ability to be boosted by exercise.

Learn more about the Exercise component of metabolism and how to improve it according to your specific metabolic requirements at www.fitfamily360.com. and www.familyfit360.com

Marcus Wells, MD, MPH is a advocate of prevention in health and is the author of "Fit Family" the book

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