Exercise: Powerful Medicine for Health and Aging, with Dr. Stuart Phillips

Imagine a pill that reduced the risk and improved prognosis for all known chronic diseases; it would work regardless of current risk, race, gender, or age. We don't need to test this pill as a large body of data shows its effectiveness. Other beneficial side effects of this pill include reduced anxiety, depression, and improved sleep. Such a pill would be the world's most widely prescribed medication. Sadly, there is no such pill. However, all these benefits come with greater participation in physical activity, defined as anything that makes our muscles burn more energy. Alternatively, perhaps even better, when we exercise: the purposeful practice of activity to gain/maintain fitness or strength.