The list of benefits of exercise is staggering. Reducing inflammation is yet another one you can add to the list.
Inflammation is not just something that happens when you sprain your ankle. Inflammation is the response your body takes to heal any tissue in our body that is damaged; bones, skin, muscles, nerves, cartilage, organs, blood vessels. Although a normal reaction to damage, if inflammation is chronic it can be a big problem.
Chronic inflammation is linked to a host of diseases. There is a well-known link between chronic inflammation and Cardiovascular disease. When blood vessels are damaged, the inflammatory process begins. There are markers in our blood that indicate the level of inflammation in our body. This is measured every time you have a standard blood test by your PCP, and it is called your C – reactive protein level.
Clearly, reducing C – reactive protein levels is beneficial, and research indicates that exercise does this.
Anti-inflammatory effect of exercise training in subjects with type 2 diabetes and the metabolic
syndrome is dependent on exercise modalities and independent of weight loss
S. Balducci, et al Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases (2010) 20, 608e617
Researchers found that those who exercised were able to reduce elevated C-reactive Protein levels. The interesting finding was that this reduction was not dependent upon weight loss. Many have thought that it was that fat loss that was responsible for C-Reactive protein level improvements, however this study shows that exercise, independent of weight loss, is responsible for the C-reactive protein improvements. The other interesting finding is that these improvements existed only if the exercise was high intensity and supervised combining both aerobic training and resistance training. As a side note, markers of insulin resistance also improved.
This is a recurring theme repeated in the literature, whether it’s about fat loss, cardiovascular benefits, performance training, diabetes prevention, osteoporosis management, etc.: supervised high intensity comprehensive training is critical to reap the profound benefits that exercise offers.
The problem for many is individualizing that prescription, especially for those who have difficulties with intense exercise. This is our specialty.Click here to learn about how we can do this for you.
