Physical activity and exercise Archive

Over time, everyone's digestive system works less efficiently and people can develop food intolerance or begin taking medications that can affect digestion. These changes can create problems like gas, bloating, cramps, and constipation. By identifying the reasons for the digestive issues, managing them becomes easier and can help keep the entire system running smoothly.

Some types of cheese, including Swiss and Gouda, are a good source of probiotics, but eat cheese in moderation.

Keeping the gut microbiome diverse is good for health and may even be tied to healthier aging. To maintain such diversity, it helps to eat a healthy diet that includes lots of fiber, which gut microbes eat. Also, exercise may be helpful to the gut microbiome, since exercise may change the rate at which material moves through the intestines. Other ways to promote a healthy gut microbiome including getting a dog, which exposes us to more microbes; quitting smoking, which relieves stress on gut microbes; and maybe eating more probiotic-rich foods, which may boost beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Lunges, which strengthen the entire lower body, are a good example of a functional exercise. These exercises mimic everyday actions (such as picking something up off the floor), thereby improving physical functioning throughout the day.

A common complaint among statin users is that the drugs increase pain during and after exercise. A 2023 study suggests statins won't exacerbate usual muscle symptoms from moderate-intensity exercise.

Performing reverse lunges helps develop key hip muscles for better stability and teaches how to better control backward movement and coordination.