Exercise: Study shows physical activity can boost body's 'cannabis' & treat major ailments

Keeping oneself fit has always proved to be beneficial in some way or or. Exercising regularly is a boon in countless ways and has proven to tackle health conditions physically as well as mentally. While it is a known fact that exercise and physical activity has helped get rid of a number of health problems, here are some facts or rar some study points for one to keep track of. A recent study has claimed that exercising increases body's own cannabis-like substances which as per study helps reduce inflammation and could eliminate possibility of ailments like arthritis, cancer and heart diseases.

As per a study published in Gut Microbes, experts from University of Nottingham discovered that people who have arthritis and me exercise a part of ir routine not only reduced pain but also decreased levels of inflammatory substances, which is also called cytokines. This furr les to increased levels of cannabis-like substances that are produced by body itself, se substances have been termed as Endocannabinoids. Interestingly, way exercise led to se changes was by altering  gut microbes.

Although Exercise is known to decrease chronic inflammation which in turn prevents diseases like arthritis, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, very little has been revealed to prove this. 

According to a study conducted recently, it was revealed that people who exercised during COVID-19 lockdown dealt with much lower levels of stress and anxiety as compared to those who couldn't dedicate time to exercising. Owing to time constraints, working-class people tend to give less time to physical activity and exercising. However, in a refreshing turn of events, during COVID-19 pandemic-induced lockdowns, not just reports but also Instagram and Facebook posts showed that people were in a better position to allocate a part of ir schedules to exercise and physical activity. 

Researchers say Exercise clearly shows positive impact on many health conditions

Led by Professor Ana Valdes from School of Medicine at UK-based University, a group of scientists conducted an experiment wherein 78 people with arthritis were tested. Thirty-eight of  experimentees carried out 15 minutes of muscle-strengning exercises every day for six weeks, and 40 were not involved in any activity. By end of experiment, participants who h been exercising reported considerably low levels of pain and ditionally h more microbes in ir guts. microbes were of kind that produce anti-inflammatory substances, lower levels of cytokines and higher levels of endocannabinoids. 

high level of endocannabinoid shows strong links to changes in gut microbes and anti-inflammatory substances produced by gut microbes, which is called Short-chain-fatty-acids (SCFAS). At least one-third of anti-inflammatory effects of gut microbiome was due to high levels of endocannabinoids. 

A research expert at School of Medicine and first author of paper Dr. Amrita Vijay stated, "Our study clearly shows that exercise increases body's own cannabis- substances. Which can have a positive impact on many conditions,'' she said. "As interest in cannabidiol oil and or supplements increases, it is important to know that simple lifestyle interventions like exercise can modulate endocannabinoids,'' she ded.

(With inputs from ANI)

Image: PTI