Turns out that exercise helps us grow more than impressive muscles — it can also help us grow new brain cells, according to a new study. The study also found, however, that loneliness can hinder the effects of exercise on the brain. Investigators found that mice who lived together grew brain cells after exercising on running wheels, while the ones who were kept isolated and exercised did not. Read more

Regular exercise doesn't necessarily prevent Alzheimer's — except when it does. That's the rather fuzzy but encouraging conclusion reached by the National Institutes of Health this week. Although there is no conclusive evidence that fitness, healthy eating, and mental exercise such as crossword puzzles can fend off Alzheimer's, scientists remain highly optimistic based on years' worth of Read more

The benefits of exercise seem to be neverending — among other things, it helps the brain function better, reduces stress, and is important for healthy heart function. But, if you need another reason to get out there and start moving, exercise may also protect against swine flu. I've read that exercise helps boost the body's immune system and that doing some light cardio is good during a cold, Read more

Not feeling good about yourself, so skipping the gym seems like a good idea? Wrong. It seems that a little workout, no matter what kind or level of intensity, is the perfect pick-me-up for waning self-esteem. A small, but significant study found that "the simple act of exercise and not fitness itself can convince you that you look better." The physical benefits of exercise have been studied at Read more

In these lean times, with layoffs that can often translate to losing health insurance, staying physically active can help you lower your health budget. According to the World Health Organization, physically active people save about $500 annually in healthcare expenses.These days every penny counts, so get out there and go for a walk or run. Or try a little gardening, it can be surprisingly Read more

If you need a reason, one with far-reaching effects, to pull yourself off the couch and exercise, I have one for you: cancer prevention. A large Japanese study found that exercising and staying physically active throughout the day can decrease your risk for cancer by 10 to 15 percent over the course for 10 years. Who knows what the next decade could bring? Being physically active is more than Read more