Why Exercise is Essential for Healthy Aging

Exercise supports wellness at every stage in life. However, regular exercise is essential for healthy aging in adults 65 years and older. In the mid-30s, muscle mass begins to deteriorate. By age 80, the average senior has 50% less muscle. This decrease in strength is problematic for long-term independence and quality of life. Older adults who do not exercise regularly may find that activities of daily living (ADLs) such as getting out of bed, bathing, dressing, navigating stairs, and eating will become challenging or even impossible. To maintain physical fitness and maximize the benefits of exercise, consistency, variety, and supplementation are key.

Benefits of Consistent Exercise

Consistent exercise provides numerous benefits in older adults, including increased bone density, blood flow, muscle mass, and lung capacity. Exercise improves overall health and wellness and reduces risk factors for injury and chronic illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 36 million older adults (age 65+) fall each year, resulting in 32,000 fatalities.¹ Decreases in strength, stability, and balance are risk factors for falling and requiring assistance for ADLs. According to the physical therapist and certified orthopedic specialist Dr. Heather Mims, “one of the best indicators of morbidity and mortality is the ability to stand up from a chair without using your hands to help in any way.”² Sit-to-stand exercises, bridge stretches to strengthen the gluteal muscles, and T-rows with a resistance band are ideal for maintaining good balance, posture, and tone.

Best Exercises for Older Adults

The ideal weekly exercise routine for older adults includes 2.5 to 5 hours of moderate-intensity cardio in addition to some strength training, balance exercises, and stretching to promote flexibility. Incorporating as much variety as possible is highly recommended. Some options for aerobic exercises are walking, cycling, swimming, and dancing. Exercises that promote balance and flexibility are yoga and stretching. Some examples of strength training include the use of resistance bands and bodyweight resistance exercises such as wall push-ups, squats, lunges, toe stands, and planks.

Supplements Play an Important Role in Healthy Aging

Alongside a regular fitness regimen, more and more consumers seek to preserve their health through nutritional supplements. Older consumers, in particular, recognize that supplements can play an essential role in healthy aging. For example, 76% of baby boomers take supplements,³ and the number of people over 60 is expected to double in the next 30 years.⁴ A randomized, placebo-controlled study revealed significant improvement in the working capacity in older adults with beta-alanine supplementation. Oral ingestion of beta-alanine over 12 weeks resulted in increased muscle function and endurance.

Beta-alanine is a key building block for the body to create carnosine, which provides powerful antioxidant properties. Carnosine, in turn, regulates immune system response and protects against free radicals throughout the body.

5 Clinically-proven Benefits of SR CarnoSyn^®:*

Brain. Supports cognitive function and helps boost mental clarity, concentration, and alertness. Additionally, it promotes a healthy response to stress for a more balanced mood.
Muscle. Promotes muscle quality and function for aiding balance and maintaining strength for everyday activity.
Heart. Regulates muscle contractions and prevents lipid oxidation in the body. Supports healthy circulation and already-healthy blood pressure levels through vasodilation.
Systemic Protection. Works naturally within the body by providing multi-system support for healthy immunity and blood sugar levels.
Bone. Contributes to overall skeletal integrity by directly protecting the bone structure and supporting muscle function.

To help your customers live their best life at any age, choose SR CarnoSyn^® in your product portfolio. Learn more about how to create your own branded tablets.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
¹https://www.cdc.gov/injury/features/older-adult-falls/index.html#:~:text=About%2036%20million%20falls%20are,bones%20or%20a%20head%20injury
²https://www.forbes.com/health/healthy-aging/best-exercises-for-seniors/
³Mintel Reports: Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements US, 2017
⁴United Nations, World Population Prospects: the 2017 Revision 2 Mintel Reports: Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements US, 2017