DR DAVE GLASS: Lifestyle Medicine – Finding the jackpot

We read with envy of those rare, lucky people who win the lotto, or inherit a fortune from an unknown relative. When we get that seductive e-mail message from some unknown source informing us of prospective wealth, with little effort on our part, we are right to be highly cynical that some scammer is plotting to steal what little resources we have amassed.

Although our chances of accumulating great financial wealth are remote, there is another jackpot that is within our reach – and we have a choice whether to earn a small or large bonus from our investment – depending upon how much time and effort we engage. This is the investment of our time in physical activity or exercise. Someone will say ‘I knew there was a catch!’. For sedentary individuals, the thought of jogging, or cycling or climbing mountains is painful or even repugnant. Yet, I see more and more young and old, of all race groups, discovering the rewards of regular exercise.

Once you have overcome the initial stiffness and soreness from moving little used muscles and joints – and a good rule is to start very gently – you will start to experience the endorphins (happy chemicals) produced when you exercise. For some people this is almost addictive. If you can work out together with a friend/partner, the chances of you persisting in your chosen form of physical activity multiply hugely. It also helps if you can install an app on your phone or smart watch that records your activity, but this is not essential.

Besides feeling good, are there any other bonuses accrued from regular exercise, or keeping physically active? This is where research shows the huge returns on our investment. As Dr Michael Greger reports in his many articles and videos, there is a significant reduction in breast cancer, colon cancer, diabetes, gallstones, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke and dementia. It also controls bone loss, can improve sexual function, and enhance feelings of well-being and clarity of thought.

In fact, regular exercise has been found in some studies from Harvard and Stanford Universities to work as well as medicines for coronary heart disease, and better than medicines for stroke. Other studies have shown regular exercise to be as effective as commonly used medicines for depression and anxiety. (That doesn’t mean you must stop your medicines independently of your doctor – but you may find that he/she is able to reduce your need for medicines as you become more active.)

So yes, you can hit the health jackpot if you are willing to invest in daily time spent in enjoyable exercise or physical activity. This doesn’t have to be at an expensive gym. It may be walking around the block at home, or walking briskly up and down the mall. But find what works best for you.

Dr Dave Glass
MBChB, FCOG(SA), DipIBLM

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