The Hidden Benefits of Exercise Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect Against Chronic Diseases. WSJ Jan 5, 2010

The Hidden Benefits of Exercise: Even Moderate Physical Activity Can Boost the Immune System and Protect against Chronic Diseases

“No pill or nutritional supplement has the power of near-daily moderate activity in lowering the number of sick days people take,” says David Nieman, director of Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in Kannapolis, N.C.

Dr. Nieman has conducted several randomized controlled studies showing that people who walked briskly for 45 minutes, five days a week over 12 to 15 weeks had fewer and less severe upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds and flu. These subjects reduced their number of sick days 25% to 50% compared with sedentary control subjects, he says.

I have had fewer colds and other ailments since beginning regular exercise and eating more vegetables and fish.