For many, the words “Bee Happy, Bee Healthy” create the mental image of General Mills’ Honey Nut Cheerios Bee mascot advocating for healthy hearts through cereal consumption. Years after its origin, this catchy slogan was in fact proven valid. In a clinical study, cardiovascular physicians concluded that by eating up to two (2) daily servings of the whole grain cereal, “bad” cholesterol levels reduced by nearly 5 percent over a 6 month period. Compare that to the results of those who participated as part of a John Hopkins healthy heart experiment, where over 6000 exercised moderately over that same period time, and the percent deficit is significantly different. Those who performed exercises such as walking, jogging, and biking, saw 10-15 percent decreases in cholesterol. This proving daily exercise to be the undoubted “Queen bee” to maintaining a healthy heart.
Why it Matters With heart disease being the leading cause of death for men in the United States due to the rising obesity rate, many people simply don’t work out. Research collected at Johns Hopkins suggests that, of 6200 subjects who all practice protection agents in maintaining cardiovascular health, having an active heart was the most important factor in having a healthy heart and lifestyle. Reducing the chance of death of vascular disease by 80 percent over the eight-year time period. “For certain heart conditions, exercise can be as powerful as some medications,” says cardiovascular expert Kerry Stewart, Ed.D.
According to data collected from the American Heart Association, an estimated 103 million U.S. citizens above the age of 18, have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. That's nearly 1 in every 2 adults within the United States! Exercise if implemented in a timely and consistent basis can act similar to a beta-blocker medication, which combats high blood pressure. By slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure levels. Moreover, clinical research has shown that exercise such as cycling, hiking, jogging, and even water aerobics can reduce the risk of developing diabetes by over 50%. Thus allowing muscles to better breakdown glycogen, a biological substance designed for muscular energy. When this process is impaired, blood sugar levels drastically increase, ultimately leading to diabetes. (A disease that kills more people per year than AIDS and breast cancer combined)
Just as exercise strengthens the many muscles within the body, it also helps to prevent damage to the heart; allowing a more efficient and long lasting cardiovascular system. Exercise, in many cases, works as an aid to the heart helping prevent diseases such as heart failure, diabetes, and obesity. Nonetheless, studies have proven that those who exercise and have a healthy dietary regime are 3 times more likely to not only “Bee Happy, Bee Healthy” but also Be Active!
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