Reduce Your Risk

Healthy eating practices and regular physical activity are like two sides of the same coin, interacting in a variety of ways to improve our strength and stamina and to increase our resistance to many chronic diseases and acute illnesses.  In fact, the nutrition and physical activity recommendations for reducing your risk of heart disease also reduce your risk of high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer!

Reduce risk for heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure:  Regular physical activity increases high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL, the “good” cholesterol) and lowers triglycerides in the blood, improves the strength of the heart, helps maintain healthy blood pressure, and limits the progression of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)

Reduce risk for obesity:  Regular physical activity maintains lean body mass and promotes more healthful levels of body fat, may help in appetite control and increases energy expenditure and the use of fat as an energy source.

Reduces risk for type 2 diabetes:  Regular physical activity enhances the action of insulin, which improves the sells’ uptake of glucose fro the blood, and can improve blood control in people with diabetes, which in turn reduces the risk for; or delays the onset of, diabetes-related complications.

Reduce risk of osteoporosis:  Regular physical activity strengthens bones and enhances muscular strength and flexibility, thereby reducing the likelihood of falls and the incidence of fractures and other injuries when falls occur.

Regular physical activity is also known to improve our sleep patterns, reduce our risk for upper respiratory infections by improving immune function and reduce anxiety and mental stress.