Exercise a "miracle cure" - academy
Friday February 13th, 2015
Exercise is a "miracle cure", senior doctors say today.
Exercise
can prevent heart disease and many other conditions, according to a report
from the UK organisation, the Academy of the Medical Royal Colleges.
The report, Exercise:The miracle cure sets out how doctors can encourage patients to keep fit and issue "prescriptions."
Professor John Wass, from the Royal College of Physicians, said: "The results from this report reinforce previous findings that regular physical activity of just 30 minutes, 5 times a week, can make a huge difference to a patient’s health.
"As physicians we have a key responsibility to try to incorporate messages about the impact exercise can have when talking to our patients– as the benefits are plain to see.
"We must also move away from the idea that exercise is only for a specific short term purpose but impress the advantages that a lifelong appreciation of physical activity can bring."
Dr Maureen Baker, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the report identified "astounding" benefits from exercise, warning that doctors would need more resources to help prevent patients getting ill.
She said: “There is no doubt that exercise is beneficial for our patients’ physical and mental health – but the extent of the benefits, as outlined in this report, are astounding.
“Cancer, dementia, type-2 diabetes, stroke and heart disease limit our patients’ lives - as well as costing the NHS in excess of billions every year - so whatever we can do to help prevent these should be encouraged.
“GPs are well-placed to educate our patients about the benefits of leading a healthy lifestyle and today’s report shows how incorporating a modest amount of exercise into our daily routines can ensure our long-term health."
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