Experts Recommend exercise regularly for the many benefits it has for our health.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently changed the guidelines and now advises at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate activity per week for adults and 60 minutes a day in children.
It may interest you: Physical exercise, the best medicine for the elderly
“Physical activity is essential for health and well-being. It can help add years to life and life to years. Every move counts, especially now that we handle the limitations of the COVID-19 pandemic ″.
The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said in a press release.
It is well known what exercise contributes to our body. Among the benefits we could highlight that it improves insulin resistance, regulates blood pressure, increases muscle tone and strength and reduces the feeling of fatigue.
However, and despite the numerous studies that have been carried out, there are still some unknown benefits of exercise. and that is what they have tried to find out in new research.
Scientists from the School of Medicine of the University of San Diego in California (USCD) have discovered that moderate physical activity acts as an anti-inflammatory, as if it were ibuprofen or paracetamol.
The study, published in the journal Brain, Behaviour and Immunity, opens a door to the treatment of chronic diseases such as fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis or inflammatory bowel disease.
The research was carried out with 47 participants, who walked on a treadmill at a level adapted to their physical capacity, for a total of 20 minutes. Before and after the physical exercise, they took blood from the participants.
«Our study shows that a training session does not have to be especially intense to have anti-inflammatory effects.
Twenty minutes to half an hour of moderate exercise is sufficient. Thinking that a high level of exertion is required for a long time to gain benefits can discourage chronic inflammatory disease sufferers who could greatly benefit from physical activity, ”explains the study’s lead author, Suzi Hong, Associate Professor of the Department of Psychiatry and the Department of Family.
After exercise, reduction of immune cells
The reason for this anti-inflammatory power after 20 minutes of physical exercise, such as walking at a moderate pace, cycling or running (popularly known as jogging) is related to the brain and nervous system.
The hormones, epinephrine and norepinephrine, are released into the blood triggering adrenergic receptors, which generates immune responses in addition to producing proteins from the group of cytokines. The best known is tumor necrosis factor (TFN).
The substance, in addition to intervening in inflammation, also intervenes in apoptosis, programmed cell death, and secondary joint destruction.
The research indicated that 5% of the 47 participants, after aerobic activity, had a lower level of TFN in the blood.
‘Our study found that a session of about 20 minutes of moderate exercise on the treadmill resulted in a 5% decrease in the number of immune cells that produce TNF. This knowledge can contribute to the development of new therapies for people with chronic inflammatory diseases, ”Hong adds.
Inflammation: the body’s immune response
When we are injured, or have a virus or bacteria, the body’s immune response is inflammation. It is the way our body defends itself against these pathogens. In the case of injuries, the purpose is to repair the tissue that is damaged. And while this study demonstrates the anti-inflammatory power of moderate physical exercise, author Suzi Hong cautions.
“Patients with chronic inflammatory diseases should consult with their doctor to determine the most appropriate treatment plan, but knowing that exercise can act as an anti-inflammatory opens a pathway to many possibilities.”
www.informacion.es
Eddie is an Australian news reporter with over 9 years in the industry and has published on Forbes and tech crunch.