Why Exercise Might Be the Ultimate Cure-All
Discover why experts call exercise the "most potent medical intervention ever known." Learn how it reshapes your body, boosts health, and reduces disease risk.
In a groundbreaking exploration, PBS NewsHour’s William Brangham sat down with Dr. Euan Ashley, a professor of cardiovascular medicine and genetics at Stanford University, to discuss a compelling new study that positions exercise as the "most potent medical intervention ever known." This research, conducted by a consortium of 17 multidisciplinary groups, dives deeper than ever into how exercise reshapes the human body at a molecular level.
"Exercise is quite literally reversing the changes that happen with disease in a mirror-image-like way."
Dr. Ashley's findings reveal that exercise affects nearly every organ system—not just the heart or muscles. It offers profound benefits for mood, sleep, digestion, and even reduces risks for conditions like heart disease and certain cancers by up to 50%. The study also highlights the striking ability of exercise to counteract disease by mimicking the opposite effects of molecular damage.
“Exercise turns us into almost different beings,” says Dr. Ashley, referring to animal studies where sedentary rats underwent such transformational changes that their tissues reflected improvements across all systems, including fat, skeletal muscle, and even the brain.
Key Takeaways:
- Exercise is powerful and universal: It impacts multiple organ systems, including unexpected ones like the kidney and brain, while reducing disease risks.
- Molecular stress with positive results: Exercise introduces manageable stress, prompting the body to rebuild stronger and more resilient systems.
- Gender differences: The research uncovered significant differences in how male and female subjects respond to exercise, underscoring the need for inclusive studies.
- Any movement counts: From a simple standing break to a brisk 30-45 minute walk, incorporating any level of movement has measurable health benefits.
Dr. Ashley's simple advice: “One minute of exercise buys you five minutes of extra life.” Whether morning, afternoon, or evening, the key is to move whenever possible.
