09 Jul The Best Type of Exercise for a Longer Life

We all know that physical activity is one of the best drugs for preventing disease such as diabetes, heart disease and cancers. The key health benefits include normalizing glucose levels, insulin and leptin levels (the hunger hormone).

However what is the best level for optimum health and life longevity? Too little won’t be of much benefit whilst too much can actually decrease life expectancy and increase risk of heart attacks. For example extreme sports such as ultra marathons can place strain on the heart and there have been cases of people going into cardiac arrest straight after finishing a race.

Yet we do need to huff and puff to get the benefits. Interval training seems to be deemed the most effective for gaining these extraordinary gains and benefits. A 14 year study that looked at non exercisers and people training 25 hours a week came to the following conclusion that people who engage in 150-450 minutes of exercise a week, the bulk of which the activity is walking, will have the most increased life span and better health. Of course we need to also combine with this with a good diet rich in vitamins and minerals (but that’s another story). Those who then throw in a couple of strength and HIIT sessions get an extra boost!

So in my own personal opinion, try and do 2 hard interval sessions a week, a stretching session, 2 strength and walk as much as possible for the best YOU that you can be !