October 2024
Imagine you come into my medical office and ask: “Dr. Bill, tell me your favorite tip for healthy aging.” I write on my prescription pad: Exercise is medicine!
Here’s a snapshot of eight healthy aging effects of movement:
1. MOVEMENT INCREASES YOUR BLOOD FLOW
One of my healthy-aging mantras is:
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Every tissue of your body is only as healthy as the blood flow to it. Better blood flow, better organ health. |
2. MOVEMENT MAKES YOUR BRAIN SMARTER AND HAPPIER
Think of movement like fertilizing your brain. Neuroscientists call these brain-growth factors “neurotransmitters” or, in neurospeak, Miracle-Gro for the brain.
It’s back-to-school exercise time. Google “Naperville School Exercise Program.” In this study, researchers had students who were struggling with behavior and grades come to school early and run around the schoolyard. The early movers showed remarkable improvements in their grades and their ability to focus in class. The conclusion of this study: exercise preloads the brain to learn.
Amazing brain imaging studies reveal two feel-good effects of children who are fit: they have larger “smart centers” in their brain, and larger feel-good “happy centers.” (I define “fit” as moving more, sitting less and having the right amount of muscle, bone and body fat for your individual body type). Wow! Isn’t that what we want for ourselves and our children?
3. MOVEMENT OPENS YOUR BODY’S NATURAL FEEL-GOOD PHARMACY INSIDE
Think:
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Movement Makes Your Own Medicines. |
So, you have M.O.M. inside.
Homework: Go to our website at AskDrSears.com/pharmacy and view a five-minute video of Nobel-Prize-winning research showing how movement can open your internal pharmacy inside, and what medicines it can make for you.
4. MOVEMENT HELPS MOVE YOUR BOWELS
Intestinal activity tends to slow down as we age, leading to constipation. Movement helps, shall we say, move things along down there.
5. MOVEMENT HELPS YOU SLEEP BETTER
That makes sense! Your wisdom of the body prompts: “I worked hard during the day, therefore I need to rest better at night.” Daytime exercise creates more sleep prompts - neurochemicals that help you sleep better.
6. MOVEMENT HELPS YOU STAY LEAN
One of my most important words for healthy aging is “LEAN,” meaning having the body composition of the right proportions of muscle, bone, and body fat for your individual body type. As you age, you want to build muscle, strengthen bone, and trim excess belly fat. That’s becoming “fit” in a nutshell, and that’s what movement helps you do.
7. MOVEMENT HELPS STABILIZE BLOOD SUGAR
Researchers estimate that unless seniors (preferably pre-seniors) start stabilizing their blood sugar, over fifty percent of them are likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Exercise can help you from being one of these sad statistics.
8. MOVEMENT STABILIZES YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
We all want to enter the fall and winter months with a healthier immune system. In our next Nutrex article I will take you on a trip through your body to show you how movement helps your immune system army fight smarter for you.
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ASTAXANTHIN – AWESOME FOR SENIORS AND ATHLETES As I was traveling in Hawaii and gathering material for my new books, I asked athletes how they helped their bodies recover from exercise. Their response: “We take Hawaiian astaxanthin.” This led me to further research how Hawaiian astaxanthin supports recovery from exercise. Seniors who upgrade from sitters to movers may find that it takes their muscles longer to recover from extra exercise. If this is you, read more about natural Hawaiian astaxanthin on our website (AskDrSears.com/astaxanthin) and visit Nutrex-Hawaii.com/BioAstin to find retailers where you can purchase natural Hawaiian astaxanthin. |
References:
- The Dr. Sears T5 Wellness Plan, Five Changes in Five Weeks, 2017
- Natural Astaxanthin: Hawaii’s Supernutrient, by William Sears, M.D., 2015.
- Nutrex article: “Go Outside and Play – the Neuroscience of Moving in Nature” (June 2024)
- Nutrex article: “Dr. Bill’s Top Tips for Healthy Aging” (February 2022)
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
This information is not meant to be personal medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting a new diet, exercise, or health program. Results may vary.
Dr. Sears is a Nutrex-Hawaii ambassador.
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BIOGRAPHY
Dr. Bill Sears has been practicing medicine for over 40 years. He received his medical degree from St. Louis University and medical training at Harvard University, the University of Toronto and the National Institute of Health. Dr. Sears has been a clinical professor at the University of South Carolina, University of Southern California School of Medicine and University of Irvine School of Medicine.
Dr. Sears is the author of 45 books including nutrition and wellness titles, including The T5 Wellness Plan, Prime-Time Health, The Family Nutrition Book, The Omega-3 Effect, The Inflammation Solution, The Healthy Pregnancy Book, The Healthiest Kid in the Neighborhood, L.E.A.N. Kids, among others. He has spoken at numerous scientific conferences all over the world and has successfully motivated others to make positive health behavior changes through practical applications of simple and science-based strategies. Dr. Sears has been featured on 20/20, Dateline, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The View, PBS, CNN, Dr. Phil, The Doctors, and Oprah.
