You're never too old to benefit from exercise
The older folks are, the less likely they are to get physical activity. Only around 30% of adults ages 45 to 64 report that they're in the habit of exercising. That drops to about 25% of 65 -- to 74-year-olds and 11% of people 85 and older. That means most folks have an ever-increasing loss of endurance, balance, strength and flexibility, as they up their risk for a multitude of health problems.
If that's you, you can change it. Even if you are 65 or older. One session of exercise has immediate benefits, improving sleep that night, as well as lowering blood pressure and reducing anxiety. And long-term, you'll protect your heart, lower your risk of cancer, improve bone strength and reduce the risk of dementia and depression. According to a new study, all it takes is 20 minutes of exercise daily to significantly cut your risk of developing dementia within the next year, and it helps protect you from depression and anxiety as well. To get started, check out "Exercise & Physical Activity: Your Everyday Guide from the National Institute on Aging" at www.nia.nih.gov.
To boost the benefit of adopting an active routine, a new study in Neurobiology of Aging shows that when older folks eat a Mediterranean-style diet and have a healthy sleep routine, it improves blood pressure, obesity and depression and dramatically reduces the chance of developing dementia.
For help upgrading your exercise -- and diet -- habits, sign up for the free newsletter at LongevityPlaybook.com and check out "The What to Cook When Cookbook."
Dr. Mike Roizen is the founder of www.longevityplaybook.com, and Dr. Mehmet Oz is global advisor to www.iHerb.com, the world's leading online health store. Roizen and Oz are chief wellness officer emeritus at Cleveland Clinic and professor emeritus at Columbia University, respectively. Together they have written 11 New York Times bestsellers (four No. 1's).
(c)2025 Michael Roizen, M.D.
Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
(c) 2025 Michael Roizen, M.D. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.
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