Health-and-Fitness online information.

Ever heard the adage, you're only as old as you feel? Apparently there's plenty of truth in those words since a growing number of studies have found that a healthy, active lifestyle indeed can make you look and feel years younger.

Obviously, physical fitness is beneficial at any age, but health experts say it's crucial for older people to stay active to stave off diseases and reduce the physical and mental decline associated with aging. And with nearly 80 million Americans in their 50s and another 35 million age 65 and older, it's important for those of us living out our golden years to listen.

True, exercising can keep you trim, prevent bone and muscle loss and boost your heart, lungs and circulatory system. And it certainly has valuable long-term effects on your health, such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and preventing diabetes, colon cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease and stroke.

But the benefits aren't just physical. Research reveals that regular fitness can have a positive effect on your mind by relieving depression, improving memory and rejuvenating your spirit.

A Duke University study of people aged 50 to 77 with major depression found that patients who exercised not only improved significantly, but also enjoyed relief that matched drug therapy in relieving depression. And those who continued to exercise even after the 16-week study ended had a better chance of not seeing their depression return.

One reason for the mood lift, researchers speculate, is that patients gained self-confidence and a sense of accomplishment from taking an active role in curing their depression through exercise. Another reason may be chemical. It's widely known that exercise causes our brains to produce mood-altering hormones that relax the muscles and make us feel better.

When it comes to brain function, the Duke study also found that exercise greatly enhanced patients' memory and other mental processes, such as planning, organizing and juggling different intellectual tasks at once. Another study, conducted by Canadian researchers, found that exercisers 65 and older were less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease and were less likely to experience a decline in their mental abilities.

To reap the full body- and mind-boosting benefits of fitness, health experts say you need to work out ideally 30 minutes a day at least three times a week. But what you do depends largely on your personal taste and your physical ability. (Of course, consult your doctor before you start any program.) Even moderate-intensity activities like walking, gardening, dancing or at-home exercises prescribed by your doctor or physical therapist can help you lead a longer, healthier life.

# posted by Medical Information : 2:16 AM