Tips for staying healthy and maintaining strong bones include exercise
It's well known that daily exercise can keep body weight down, prevent illness and promote high levels of energy throughout the day. Now, researchers have uncovered a mechanism by which exercise promotes strong bones.
A team of scientists at McMaster University's Department of Kinesiology conducted a study revealing that exercise encourages naturally occurring mesenchymal stem cells in bone marrow to become bone, rather than fat.
The cells are influenced by factors like physical activity, turning into either bone mass or fat, depending on their environment.
Authors of the study said that the more marrow, the more blood stem cells are produced by the body, which promotes the production of healthy blood to boost the immune system. When an individual lacks exercise, bone marrow fills with fat and can potentially cause anemia due to a lack of fresh blood.
"The interesting thing was that a modest exercise program was able to significantly increase blood cells in the marrow and in circulation," said lead researcher Gianni Parise. "What we're suggesting is that exercise is a potent stimulus – enough of a stimulus to actually trigger a switch in these mesenchymal stem cells."
Staying healthy with the seasons can be a difficult endeavor. However, these findings suggest that simple exercise can promote wellness in multiple parts of the body and mind. Choose a form of physical activity that is enjoyable to you, like bike-riding, swimming, yoga, running or even nature walks.
Mind-body-spirit fitness is also important to keep in mind. Addressing all three aspects of your being will lead you to become a well-rounded individual who can reach goals, achieve success and live a fulfilled, happy life.
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