Physical Activity Reduces Markers of Sub-Chronic Inflammation

Chronic health conditions associated with being overweight or obese are thought to be partly due to an increase in the production of inflammatory compounds by fat tissue.  While exercise is an important part of any diet plan and necessary to help maintain a healthy body weight, little is known about the interaction between physical activity and chronic inflammation in overweight or obese individuals.

A new research study explores the potential relationship between physical activity and markers of chronic, subclinical inflammation.  For this study, the investigators measured total energy expenditure, resting energy expenditure, and energy expenditure due to physical activity in sedentary, obese postmenopausal women.  Differences in these measurements were analyzed in relation to blood levels of several inflammatory compounds.  The study investigators reported that women with the highest third of physical activity had lower concentrations of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and haptoglobin.  In contrast, increased levels of the inflammatory markers C-reactive protein and orosomucoid were observed with higher levels of resting energy expenditure.

Overall, these study results suggest that physical activity, even in sedentary individuals, can potentially reduce subclinical inflammation.  With the relationship between inflammation and a variety of chronic health conditions, these results support the possibility that physical activity might help reduce the risk of such conditions in sedentary individuals.  Increasing physical activity can be done in any number of ways and it doesn't have to be difficult.  Some ways to increase your amount of daily physical activity might include pacing while talking on the phone, using the stairs instead of the elevator, taking a walk during a work break, or making multiple trips when carrying items (groceries for example) instead of a single, heavily-burdened trip.

In addition to increasing one's level of physical activity, it is important to eat a healthy diet.  My easy Slim and Beautiful diet plan is a great place to start.  Visit us at www.drtabor.com to learn more.