{"id":41817,"date":"2021-09-27T10:00:33","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T14:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=41817"},"modified":"2026-04-22T13:49:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T17:49:33","slug":"exercise-and-chronic-disease","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/exercise-and-chronic-disease\/","title":{"rendered":"7 health conditions that exercise prevents"},"content":{"rendered":"

You know that exercise is good for you, but you just can\u2019t find the time to squeeze in a workout. Here\u2019s a little extra motivation to get moving: A regular fitness routine has far-reaching health benefits. People who are physically active are much less likely to develop chronic health conditions than those who don\u2019t exercise.\u00a0 What\u2019s more, if you already have one of these conditions, exercise is a great way to manage or reverse your symptoms. Here, experts explain how exercise and disease prevention go hand-in-hand.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

7 chronic diseases prevented by exercise<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cExercise has positive effects on virtually every cell in the body,\u201d says <\/span>Glenn Gaesser, Ph.D.<\/span>, fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine and professor at The College of Health Solutions at Arizona State University. Physically active people are less likely to develop chronic diseases, whereas sedentary people are at increased risk of virtually every major chronic illness. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cEven if exercise does not \u2018cure\u2019 the disease, people with chronic health conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol) who exercise regularly will reduce their risk of dying from those conditions,\u201d Gaesser says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve had patients stop or decrease their cholesterol, blood pressure, or diabetes medications when I\u2019m able to counsel them on how their diet and exercise plan affects their health status,\u201d says <\/span>Eric Ascher, DO<\/span><\/a>, an attending physician at Northwell Health, Family Medicine in New York. Others are often able to decrease the doses of their medication.<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Diabetes<\/span><\/h3>\n

There\u2019s a direct inverse correlation between exercise and diabetes. \u201cWhen I have patients whose blood sugar is up, I ask them to walk after their largest meal, because in order for your muscles to work they need some glucose,\u201d says<\/span> Kathryn A. Boling, MD<\/span>,<\/span> a former primary care provider at Mercy Personal Physicians in Lutherville, Maryland. \u201c[Exercise] draws glucose out of the bloodstream and into the muscles. That lowers your blood sugar, which makes it less likely that your diabetes is going to be out of control, or that you’re even going to get diabetes.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In other words, staying active has a similar effect to medications like insulin on your blood sugar levels. It can help to naturally decrease hyperglycemia and lessen the need for medication for some patients.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Can you reverse diabetes?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

2. Anxiety and depression<\/span><\/h3>\n

Exercise, particularly cardio-based movements, boosts your endorphins, the feel-good hormones made by your body. This promotes nerve and cellular growth, which research shows relieves depression and anxiety. \u201cFor my patients who are anxious or depressed, I always recommend an exercise regimen along with therapy or medicine if needed,\u201d Dr. Ascher says.<\/span><\/p>\n

Exercising outdoors offers even greater benefits. \u201cBeing outside in nature is good for your soul, and it helps people feel better,\u201d says Dr. Boling. <\/span>Studies<\/span><\/a> show that working out in nature improves psychological well-being.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Is it safe to exercise while taking Xanax?<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

3. High blood pressure<\/span><\/h3>\n

Exercise can have a huge impact on patients with hypertension<\/span><\/a>. That\u2019s because the heavier you are, the more your risk increases. \u201cIf people with high blood pressure go on a better eating program, start exercising, and lose some weight, sometimes they can drop their medicines down, or even come off their blood pressure medicine,\u201d says Dr. Boling. That could mean a lower dosage of medication, or even reaching a healthy blood pressure range that doesn\u2019t require a prescription.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to safely exercise with high blood pressure<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

4. High cholesterol<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many people are able to lower their cholesterol without drugs simply by adopting an exercise routine and making other lifestyle changes, according to the <\/span>Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/span><\/a> (CDC).<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCardio-based exercise routines are going to get the blood flowing and your heart pumping, and that is definitely helpful in regards to weight loss and improvement of your heart health, both aspects of reversing heart disease, high cholesterol, and diabetes,\u201d says Dr. Ascher.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>How to lower cholesterol<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

5. Osteoporosis<\/span><\/h3>\n

Weight-bearing exercise is important for everyone, especially as we age. \u201cFor women in particular, osteoporosis is a big problem; you don’t want to get to 70 and all of a sudden your bones are so fragile that you fall down … and you fracture your hip,\u201d Dr. Boling says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lifting weights or engaging in weight-bearing exercise stresses your bones, causing them to draw in more calcium. That makes bones harder and decreases your risk of <\/span>osteoporosis<\/span><\/a> or osteopenia in the future.<\/span><\/p>\n

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