It Pays To Exercise

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- It is a sad truth that most of the things that improve our health cost money. For instance, the healthiest foods often cost more than the processed options. Vitamins and prescription medications are quite pricey. In fact, many people have to make choices about paying the rent or taking their medications. But there is one thing that is absolutely free and it can have a dramatic impact on our health: exercise.

We know that exercise is good for us, and we certainly know it helps fight heart disease and even cancer.

New studies have shown that exercise can have even more benefits, especially endurance exercise which has been shown to improve brain health and cognitive function.

According to researchers from Harvard, there is a protein know as brain-derived neurotrophic, or BDNF. BDNF appears to have one job: to help with the survival of existing brain cells and encourage growth to brain connections. The researchers found that during exercise, muscles release compounds that directly increase the level of BDNF in the brain.

This study was done in mice, but experts believe it does apply to humans.

Get out there and exercise. The benefits seem almost limitless.