60 Seconds on Moderate Exercise

Greetings from Dr. T:

As Americans, we tend to have an “all or nothing” mentality – as in “go big or go home!”  But according to a study released by the American Heart Association, with exercise, that is not necessarily so.

Middle-aged women who are physically active just a few times per week have lower risks of heart disease, stroke, and blood clots than inactive women, according to research published in the American Heart Association Journal, Circulation. Surprisingly, more frequent physical activity did not result in further reductions in risk, researchers said. Physical activities associated with reduced risk included walking, gardening, and cycling.

In the study, women who performed strenuous physical activity -- enough to cause sweating or a faster heartbeat two to three times per week were about 20 percent less likely to develop heart disease, strokes, or blood clots compared to participants who reported little or no activity. Among active women, there was little evidence of further risk reductions with more frequent activity.

So, as it turns out, a little exercise can go a long way toward good health! Dr. Thorburn is a Registered Nurse and a Doctor of Chiropractic. She also has advanced training in nutrition.