New research suggests that regular exercise or meditation may be among the best ways to reduce acute respiratory infections, such as cold or flu.
A small study of 149 active and sedentary adults aged 50 years and older compared the preventive effects of moderate exercise and mindful meditation on the severity of respiratory infections, such as cold and flu, during a full winter season in Wisconsin, USA. The researchers found that those participants who started a daily exercise routine had fewer bouts of respiratory infections and missed fewer days of work. The investigators also found that those doing mindfulness meditation, which focuses on paying attention to your body and emotions, were more protected against illness.
The study was published in the July/August issue of the Annals of Family Medicine, with prof. dr. Bruce Barrett as the lead author of the study.
The results showed a 40 to 50 percent reduction in respiratory infections! In comparison to that, flu vaccines - which are one of the most well-proven and beneficial interventions against flu - protect at a level of 50 to 60 percent and only for a few strains of flu virus.
It was not clear how physical and mental workouts could help ward off sickness. While the study uncovered an association between the mind and body activities and less illness, it did not prove a cause-and-effect relationship. One hypothesis is that both exercise and meditation might make people less susceptible to illness by reducing their stress levels.
The flu virus is associated with about 36,000 deaths and half a million hospitalizations in the United States every year. And illnesses caused by other viruses, such as the one responsible for the common cold, are to blame for 40 million days of missed work and school every year.
REFERENCE:
Exercise, Meditation Can Beat Back Cold, Flu, Study Finds
Researchers report that both also appear to cut down on sick time and sick days at work
THURSDAY, July 12 (HealthDay News) -- New research suggests that regular exercise or meditation may be among the best ways to reduce acute respiratory infections.
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