Here's part 4 of a Parade article that offers interesting facts on how fitness can help both your mind and your health -- both of which are more important than money (see How to Preserve and Protect Your Memory and Make It Grow and More Important than Money: Your Health for details). Today, we'll see how exercise can improve oral health:
Experts at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland found that people who worked out regularly cut their chances of developing gum disease by 40%. “Physical activity reduces stress and inflammation in the body, both of which play a significant role in gum disease,” says researcher Nabil F. Bissada. “Any type of moderate or vigorous leisure-time exercise—such as walking a mile without stopping, bike riding, dancing or yard work—done three to five times a week will work.” But, he adds, you also need to maintain a normal weight and good diet.
My thoughts:
1. Oh, great. I loved this thought until the last sentence. ;-)
2. I wish I'd known this earlier, I would have had my son on a vigorous exercise program -- maybe we could have eliminated his braces. ;-)
3. Isn't it amazing how much of a positive impact exercising can have on all parts of your body and what an impact it has on overall quality of life?
I guess I better get biking! Actually there was an interesting piece the other day that showed exercise may reduce the incidences of skin cancer...which I found surprising (and encouraging:) )
http://www.physorg.com/news66917276.html
Posted by: jim | May 20, 2006 at 01:07 AM