Think Pinker

Exercise – we hear a lot about it – it’s good for the heart, it helps us lose weight, it keeps us mentally alert – and recent studies have shown that it also reduces our risk of breast cancer.

According to the Press Association a study with more than 30,000 women and conducted over an 11 year period saw those women that participated in vigorous exercise see a 30% lower risk of breast cancer. Surprisingly that even included women that were overweight.

What constitutes vigorous exercise? Dancing fast, tennis, aerobics, running, and fast jogging to name a few. But you might be surprised to learn that scrubbing floors, chopping wood, washing windows, and heavy gardening were also classified as vigorous activity.

Up until now it was thought that all forms of exercise provided some benefit but is appears that’s not so. Non vigorous activities included light jogging, walking, bowling, general gardening, and vacuuming.

Why the difference? Some researchers believe that it’s because of an enhanced immune system, and decreased inflammation. If that’s true one has to wonder if certain herbs that boost the immune system could be very beneficial. In fact, antioxidants which remove free radicals from the body and keep inflammation down are already known for their powerful aid in reducing disease and so it makes sense that these could be very helpful.

However according to research the body still reacts differently to vigorous exercise so if you really want to ensure you are reducing your risk it’s time to get off the couch and get moving. Besides exercise does so much good for the body that you simply can’t go wrong!