How Regular Exercise And Good Nutrition Can Help You In The Long Run

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- As we get older there are all sorts of health issues that can be problematic but some of these problems, in fact many, can be prevented or at least made less serious when we are younger. Osteoporosis is a good example. Regular exercise and good nutrition can help reduce the long-term problems, as can avoidance of smoking. If these issues are not dealt with while young, it can be a problem in the elderly which can be a leading cause of pain and disability. In addition, people who have osteoporosis are at dramatically increased risk for fractures. If you are older the prevention should not stop. A major benefit comes from exercise. This should not be extreme exercise, but less stressful forms of exercise like lifting with light weights. Flexibility drills can help. Life is a continuous process and lots of big steps are made through daily consistent effort.