(NaturalHealth365) This is a wake-up call for all Americans.  The latest research, put out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), claim that only 23% of Americans get enough exercise.  That means that 77% of the the adult population is not exercising enough!

And, you know what’s really scary about this statistic?  The federal guidelines are only set at 2.5 hours per week of physical activity.  We’ve really got to get moving and you’ll understand why – in just a moment. (keep reading)

By the way, for our children, it’s far worse thanks to wireless technology and all these computer gadgets – which have kids spending around 7 hours per day on computer screens, cell phones and T.V.’s.

Allow me to be blunt: We’ve got to be physical, to be healthy.  A lack of exercise not only affects physical fitness and weight, but it may also affect a person’s longevity and risk of chronic, degenerative diseases like cancer.

Not exercising is really bad for your DNA

Researchers have long been trying to understand the connections between exercise and disease risk.

A study from Sweden’s Karolinska Institutet, however, is painting a bigger picture, revealing that the secret may be in human DNA – specifically the molecules located inside of genes.

The study reveals that regular exercise has a direct and positive influence on more than 4,000 genes, and inactivity has a negative effect on those same genes. This research highlights the significance of ‘epigenetic methylation’ – which is really quite interesting.

Epigenetics help modulate processes within the body.  While the genes in a DNA sequence are fixed, the epigenetic modifications within them are capable of undergoing temporary changes via a process known as methylation.  During methylation, additional molecules may be added to an existing group or some may be taken away.

Science reveals how exercise can dramatically improve our health

Researchers at the Karolinska Institutet studied epigenetic methylation in healthy adults before and after completing a three-month endurance training program. They followed 23 healthy young adults who were asked to participate in 45 minutes of one-legged cycling four times per week.

The researchers used the inactive leg as a control, and took leg muscle biopsies to evaluate epigenetic methylation that occurred between the start and end of the study. Of the 20,000 genes measured for methylation, 4,000 genes were directly and positively affected by exercise.

The correlation between exercise and epigenetic changes were closely linked to methylation. Many of the same genes that experienced increased methylation during the study were responsible for the metabolism of carbohydrates and skeletal muscle adaptation.

On the other hand, the genes that had an opposite reaction – that is, they had decreasing methylation – were closely linked to biological inflammation.

Make exercise part of your new way of living

Ultimately, research is proving what we already know: Exercise is good for you.

When you exercise, you improve metabolic function, muscle health and integrity and even your ability to avoid chronic (degenerative) disease.  Specifically, endurance (aerobic) training – like walking – has a direct effect on the overall health of your body, including the degree of inflammation within it.

But, keep in mind: The old saying, “no pain, no gain” is ridiculous when it comes to the desire for greater health benefits from exercise.  Just get out and enjoy being physically active – on a regular basis.  That’s the key, be consistent.

If one of the benefits of exercising is living a longer (healthier) life, then everyone should be doing it. Too many people suffer from poor circulation, chronic inflammation and fatigue. What’s the solution?

Eat a healthier (organic) diet – that includes plenty of vegetables and fruit daily – and exercise, as often as possible.  Allow me to leave you with some inspirational quotes:

“We do not stop exercising because we grow old – we grow old because we stop exercising.” – Kenneth H. Cooper, MD, MPH – a leading pioneer in preventive medicine

“Exercise and application produce order in our affairs, health of body, cheerfulness of mind, and these make us precious to our friends.” – Thomas Jefferson

“An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.” – Adam Smith

“To keep the body in good health is a duty – otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear.” – Buddha

”Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate. The world wasn’t formed in a day, and neither were we. Set small goals and build upon them.” – Lee Haney, 8-time Mr. Olympia

“If we could give every individual the right amount of nourishment and exercise, not too little and not too much, we would have found the safest way to health.” – Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine

“When I exercise, it’s my way of saying: I’m ready for the day and all its challenges.  It makes me stronger and enables me to be of greater service to my family and friends.  What a great way to start the day.” – Jonathan Landsman

Sources for this article include:

Time.com
NIH.gov
KI.se