There are many benefits of exercise, such as weight loss, improved muscle tone, and boosted energy. Not to mention improving overall health and reducing the risk of lifestyle-related diseases. Did you know that exercise can improve the health and appearance of your skin and make you look more youthful? It’s true.
Research has shown that periods of exercise-induced accelerated heart rate trigger the production of a protein called interleukin 15 (IL-15). Higher levels of this protein have been found in individuals who exercise frequently, and its presence has been linked to faster healing from skin wounds.
We all know that exercise is good for your heart, lungs, and brain, which are organs. We often forget that the skin is the largest organ in the body and scientific research is just scratching the surface of the benefits of exercise — tied to the production of IL-15 — on the health, appearance, and resilience of the skin.
A 2019 study by Northeastern University showed that low-dose injections of IL-15 in older mice improved the healing capacity of their skin by mimicking the anti-aging effects of exercise. Kinda makes you wonder why, according to Statista, 1.68 million Americans spent at least $500 on skin-care products in the fourth quarter of 2020. Spread that over an entire year, and that’s $2,000 in spending on skin-care products.
Now, I’m all for splurging on a skin-care product now and then. But it would seem that time and money would be better spent on a regular exercise program.
Treat your body well, and it’ll return the favor while making you look and feel younger. It can’t help it; it was built that way.
