Monday, October 28, 2013

How Exercise Protects Your Senses

How Exercise Protects Your Senses

Squats can safeguard your sniffer: Regular exercise protects your sense of smell as you age, according to new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In the study, people who exercised at least once a week—long enough to work up a sweat—decreased their risk of olfactory dysfunction, or issues with smelling, by about 24 percent. (Many people experience a decrease in whiff-ability as they age. In the study, 28 percent of folks experienced a decline over 10 years.)

So what’s the link between sweating and sniffing? Your blood vessels may play a role. Regular exercise decreases the risk of atherosclerosis—when plaque builds up in your arteries—and healthy arteries may mean a better sense of smell, says study author Karen Cruickshanks, Ph.D.

Besides regular sweat sessions, you can keep your arteries clear by minimizing TV time. A new study from the Netherlands found that the longer people in their 30s spent planted in front of the TV each day, the stiffer their arteries. Researchers suggest keeping leisure screen time —that includes glaring at your laptop and tablet—to under 2 hours per day.

If you liked this story, you’ll love these:

Powered by WPeMatico

No comments:

Post a Comment