The ketogenic diet has been a high-fat diet that has been particularly popular in recent years. However, it has been used for nearly a hundred years to treat certain pathologies, including epilepsy. This diet aims to dramatically reduce carbohydrate intake in favor of fat to induce a state of ketosis. Beyond the significant weight loss, it would have many health benefits.

Features of the ketogenic diet:

1. Very high consumption of lipids (75% of intakes)
2. Unchanged protein intake
3. Considerable reduction in carbohydrate intake
4. Causes unpleasant symptoms in the first few weeks (ketogenic flu)
5. Rapid weight loss
6. The state of ketosis would have many health benefits (energy boost, protection against certain pathologies, etc.)

The main principles of the regime

 Your nose is clogged, you have trouble breathing and you are tired? The common cold poisons your life every winter. Discover without further delay the coveted natural secrets of essential oils to spend a winter at the top of your game!

Why use essential oils against colds?

Expectorants, mucolytics, decongestants... These somewhat barbaric medical terms simply mean that essential oils alone are capable of promoting respiratory comfort. But that's not all! Their many molecules also boost immunity to help the body fight against these viruses that attack you. Don't waste time, act naturally!

3 essential oils against colds

Radiated eucalyptus, a specialist in winter diseases

The essential oil of radiated eucalyptus promotes the expulsion of secretions, thanks to the 1-8 cineole it contains. Its antibacterial, anti-infectious, and antiseptic properties facilitate respiratory comfort. Also, anti-physical and mental fatigue, the essential oil of radiated eucalyptus activates the body's ability to fight against external aggressions so that your cold is only a distant memory!

Use: Pour 1 drop of radiated eucalyptus essential oil over sugar. Let it melt in the mouth. 4 times a day maximum for a maximum of 2 days.

Precautions: Not suitable for women who are less than 3 months pregnant, children under 3 months of age, and people with asthma or epilepsy.

Ravintsara, an exceptional antiviral

Ravintsara essential oil is ideal in case of infections of the ENT system (cough, sore throat, cold ...). It fights against a runny nose while strengthening your immune system, to help the body fight bacterial and viral aggressions. Expectorant and mucolytic, ravintsara essential oil promotes the expulsion of secretions from the respiratory tract.

Use: Pour 3 drops of ravintsara essential oil into 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil like sweet almond oil. Massage the lower back, along the spine and chest. 3 times a day maximum, until improvement.

Precautions: Perform a skin test before application - Not suitable for women who are less than 3 months pregnant, children under 3 months of age, people with asthma or epilepsy, and subjects taking medication (risk of interference).

Peppermint, decongestant

Thanks to its "cold effect", peppermint essential oil clears the nose, while thinning the mucus to facilitate its flow. Tonic and stimulating, peppermint essential oil also boosts your body so that you find an Olympic shape!

Use: On a tissue, pour two drops of peppermint essential oil. Breathe when the need arises, 10 minutes maximum. Do not stick the handkerchief under your nose, respect a distance of about 10 cm.

Precautions: Not suitable for pregnant or lactating women, children under 6 years of age, people with epilepsy or neurological disorders, people with hormone-dependent disorders with cancer or not, people deficient in the G6PD enzyme, people with cholelithiasis, inflammation of the gallbladder, severe liver disorders, hypertension and during significant cardiovascular problems.

Recipes for colds

Antidote SOS cold

Peppermint EO: 1 drop

Radiated eucalyptus EO: 1 drop

Ravintsara EO: 1 drop

On a sugar, pour the essential oils

Let it melt in the mouth 2 times a day maximum, for 2 days maximum

By Danièle Festy, pharmacist and aromatherapist, My Bible of Essential Oils, 2018

Inhalation respiratory comfort

Peppermint EO: 3 drops

Radiated eucalyptus EO: 3 drops

Niaouli EO: 3 drops

Boil water

Pour it into a bowl

Add the essential oils

Wait 1-2 minutes before starting

Put a towel over the head

Put the head above the bowl

By Danièle Festy, pharmacist and aromatherapist, My Bible of Essential Oils, 2018

Rebooting massage oil

Noble laurel EO: 2 drops

Radiated eucalyptus EO: 2 drops

Ravintsara EO: 2 drops

Calophyllum vegetable oil: 6 drops

In a previously disinfected ramekin, pour the essential oils.

Then add the vegetable oil.

Mix.

Massage the lower back and chest 2-3 times a day, for 3 days.

By Danièle Festy, pharmacist and aromatherapist, My Bible of Essential Oils, 2018

Tens of millions of American children may also be eligible for their injections. The United States is actively preparing to be able to begin vaccination against Covid-19 of children aged 5 to 11 years with the Pfizer vaccine as early as next month, once the authorization has been given by the health authorities. "We will be ready to begin injections in the days following a final recommendation," the White House wrote in a statement.

Two health agencies must first decide. An advisory committee of the U.S. Drug Administration (FDA) will review the data provided by Pfizer next Tuesday. The FDA will then have to formally authorize the vaccine for that age group.

Then a committee of experts from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will meet on November 2 and 3, and the precise recommendations of this federal agency on how to administer doses should follow very soon after that date.

28 million children to be vaccinated

"As soon as the FDA approves the vaccine, which is the first step in the process, we will start shipping ... About 15 million doses across the country," Jeff Zients, the White House pandemic coordinator, said at a press briefing.

The U.S. government has assured that the United States has procured enough doses to vaccinate the 28 million children in this age group. The latter will be able to receive their injections in more than 25,000 offices of pediatricians and other doctors, in pediatric hospitals, tens of thousands of pharmacies but also in some schools, said the executive.

Vaccine packaging has been modified to be easier to use by small structures, with packs of 10 vials (each containing 10 doses). The government will also provide the necessary equipment for injections, including needles smaller than those used for adults.

A national information campaign

"We know that millions of parents are waiting for Covid-19 vaccines for this age group," Zients said. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation survey conducted in late September, among parents with a child between the age of 5 and 11, about a third said they would vaccinate them as soon as possible. Another third said they would wait before making a decision, and a quarter said they wouldn't vaccinate them.

"We are preparing a national public information campaign for parents to receive information about the vaccine," said U.S. Chief Medical Officer Vivek Murthy. In particular, forums will be organized.

The Pfizer-BioNTech alliance had filed an application for emergency authorization of its vaccine for children aged 5 to 11 in early October. This application is based on clinical trials on more than 2,000 children aged 5 to 11 years. The companies reported that the vaccine was well-tolerated and triggered a "robust" immune response, "comparable" to that seen in 16- to 25-year-olds. The dosage was adjusted to 10 micrograms per injection, compared to 30 micrograms for the older groups.

The vaccine can be stored for up to 10 weeks at a standard refrigerator temperature. Younger people are less likely to develop severe cases of Covid-19, but can still get sick and contribute to the transmission of the virus among the population.

A few hundred miners have died of Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic in the United States, according to CDC figures. In Israel, children aged 5 to 11 at risk of serious complications related to Covid-19 can already be vaccinated since August 1 with Pfizer, under a "special authorization".

 Phthalates present in plastic and early mortality are now associated. The study, made public Tuesday, demonstrates the link between these chemical compounds and deaths due to cardiovascular diseases or cancers. It also points to the cost of the loss of economic productivity resulting from the nearly 100,000 deaths per year attributable to these endocrine disruptors.

The presence of chemical compounds, called phthalates, in plastic materials and found in foods and everyday objects (food, clothing, cosmetics, toys...) could cause the premature death each year of 100,000 Americans aged 55 to 64, according to the study by the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University, published in the journal Environmental Pollution. 

These phthalates are considered endocrine disruptors harmful to health, but the direct link between exposure to these products and deaths from cardiovascular disease or cancer in the United States had not yet been established with certainty, says the study from the Grossman School of Medicine at New York University,  published in the journal Environmental Pollution. The researchers analyzed the effects of phthalate exposure on a population of 5,303 adults over the age of 20. The study and biological analyses (including urine) of the participants took place between 2001 and 2010 before the mortality statistics were dissected until the end of 2015. Data analyses were extracted in July 2020.

Act urgently

By "extrapolating (the results) to the age range of the U.S. Population aged 55 to 64, we identified 90,761 to 107,283 deaths attributable" to phthalate exposure, the study explains. "Our findings show that greater exposure to phthalates is linked to premature death, particularly from heart disease," said one of the authors, Leonardo Trasande, quoted in a statement.

Greater exposure to phthalates is linked to premature death

 According to a large Canadian study, the Delta variant is 133% more deadly than the original covid 19. The emergence of different variants has thus considerably delayed the exit from the pandemic, even if vaccines remain effective in preventing severe forms.

The Delta variant, almost non-existent in January, now represents 99% of infections in France and 99.3% of sequences deposited in the Gisaid database at the international level for the period from August 29 to September 21, 2021, according to an analysis by Public Health France. Several studies have already attested to the greater contagiousness and virulence of the Delta variant (see diagram below). It is also more likely to escape the vaccine: the effectiveness rate of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines drops to 66% with this variant, compared to more than 90% with the original virus.

A 133% increased risk of death

A large new study, conducted in Canada, confirms the extreme virulence of this variant. Conducted on 212,326 people between February and June 2021, the latter examined the risks of hospitalization, admission to the emergency room, and death related to the different variants then circulating (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta) compared to the original virus. As a result, the risk of hospitalization, admission to the emergency department, and death is increased by 108%, 235%, and 133% respectively with the Delta variant. In other words, where one in 100 people died from the original SARS-CoV-2, 2.33 people die when infected with the Delta variant.

Virulence is also higher with alpha, beta, and gamma variants, but to a lesser extent (52% for hospitalization risk, 89% for emergency department admission risk, and 51% for death risk). "Even adjusted for factors of age, sex, and comorbidities, the risk persists," the researchers insist. "The emergence of new variants of SARS-CoV-2 has slowed progress against the pandemic in three distinct ways," says David Fisman, co-author of the article published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ), namely by increasing the transmissibility and number of reproductions of the virus, increasing immune evasion, and increasing the virulence of infection.

The virus has become smarter and more dangerous

The good news is that if the vaccine remains very effective against severe forms. "Vaccines offer a substantial degree of protection against death (about 80 to 90%), even if they fail to prevent infection," the authors say. This helps reduce transmission of the virus, even though herd immunity is unattainable given the high reproductive rate. »

"We are facing a completely different epidemic than in 2020," Kirsten Patrick, CMAJ's editor-in-chief, confirms in an editorial accompanying the article. The virus has become smarter and more dangerous, which means we too need to be smarter. Governments must keep people safe by adopting policies that judiciously combine all the measures that have proven effective. It calls for the expansion of vaccination, the prohibition of anti-vaccination gatherings near schools and health facilities, the approval of safe vaccines for children, an effective international collaboration to ensure the administration of vaccines on a global scale, or the continuation of the work of identifying, monitoring and controlling the epidemic.

Unfortunately, the end of the pandemic is still not insight, and it is even likely that Covid will turn into an endemic. "We must expect a genetic diversification of the Delta variant in view of its intense circulation in the world in recent months," warns Public Health France. The relative share of some Delta sub-lineages (AY.4 in particular) compared to the initial B.1.617.2 lineage is increasing, although data are still lacking on the impact of these mutations. »

Delta variant is linked to increased risk of hospitalization

This was an unanswered question since its emergence: is the Delta variant more virulent than the Alpha variant? A study conducted by the English health authorities offers a beginning of an answer.

Since last August, 95% of new infections in France are due to the Delta variant. It supplanted the Alpha variant because of its high contagiousness, about 40 to 50% higher than that of its cousin. The symptoms it causes are milder and comparable to a big cold. Fever and anosmia typical of the Alpha variant are less common. Does this mean that the Delta variant is less virulent? According to scientists in the Covid cell of the English public health authority, no. Being infected with the Delta variant increases the risk of being hospitalized compared to the Alpha variant.

More risk of being hospitalized because of the Delta variant

The study was conducted on data collected between March 23 and May 29, 2021. At that time, the Delta variant was not yet the majority in England, but it was beginning to gain ground. Of the 43,338 Covid-19 positive patients included in the study, 8,682 were infected with the Delta variant and 34,656 with the Alpha variant. The infection and the nature of the variant responsible were confirmed by sequencing. The scientists calculated the risk factor of being admitted to the hospital within 14 days of diagnosis for a patient who tested positive for the Delta variant compared to the Alpha variant.

The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of being admitted to the hospital within 14 days is 2.26. In other words, people infected with the Delta variant are about twice as likely to be admitted to the hospital as those infected with the Alpha variant. The majority of included patients (74%) were not vaccinated. The scientists performed the same calculation taking into account the vaccination status.

The effect of the vaccine?

The adjusted HR of being admitted to hospital for a person infected with the Delta variant compared to the Alpha variant is 2.32 for the first-vaccinated or unvaccinated, and 1.94 for those fully protected by the vaccine (21 days after the second dose). Nevertheless, the number of vaccinated considered here is too small to make a solid calculation. Also, this data will have to be confirmed by other studies.

These findings are in line with those of the Scottish public health authority, which conducted a similar but more modest study last June. The Delta variant appears to be linked to an increased risk of hospitalization compared to the Alpha variant. Through vaccination, this risk can be reduced. The epidemic peak we have just reached has been less severe for hospitals than last spring when vaccination was not yet open to all.

 Immunity is not eternal, the protection conferred by Covid vaccines decreases over time. The data analyzed by Israeli scientists allow us to learn more about the effect of the decrease in immunity on the parameters of the epidemic.

As early as December 2020, Israel launched a major vaccination campaign against Covid-19. In three months, half of the eligible adults received both doses of the Pfizer vaccine. As a result, the number of cases drastically decreased throughout the country, until mid-June 2021 when it soared again. This resurgence of infections is part of a particular context marked by the arrival of the Delta variant, against which vaccines are losing some of their effectiveness, in the country. As of June 14, it accounted for 68 percent of infections in Israel, then 98 percent just a fortnight later.

But the Delta variant alone does not explain the more than 8,000 confirmed infections in the country at the end of August against only 40 in May of the same year. The other parameter to consider is the gradual disappearance of vaccine immunity. This issue is still subject to debate. Previous work has concluded that vaccine immunity could last for several years or even decades. However, data analyzed by Israeli scientists in a publication in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that vaccine immunity gradually vanishes within a few months.

Vaccination as the test of time

This conclusion is drawn from the analysis of data from Israelis over the age of 16 and having a complete vaccination schedule before June 2021. The incidence of positive cases and severe forms of Covid-19 among vaccinees between 11 and 31 July are compared to those of past months (February, March, and April-May). The goal is to track the evolution of the incidence over the months. Here are the results for the age group of 60 years and older, the first to have been vaccinated in early 2021.

During the study period (July), the incidence rate is 3.3 confirmed cases per 1,000 people fully vaccinated in January, 2.2 confirmed cases per 1,000 people vaccinated in February, and 1.7 confirmed cases per 1,000 people who received both doses of vaccine in March. In other words, the virus circulates more easily in people who have been vaccinated for six months.

The same reasoning was made for severe forms of the disease. Scientists listed 0.34 severe forms of the disease per 1,000 people vaccinated in January; 0.26 severe forms per 1,000 people vaccinated in February; 0.15 per 1,000 people vaccinated in March. Again, severe forms are more common in people who have been vaccinated for six months.

An essential booster dose?

The biological mechanism behind these observations could be the gradual disappearance of neutralizing antibodies from vaccination. Nevertheless, the vaccine confers significant protection – even after six months – compared to the unvaccinated, and this study provides additional arguments in favor of a third dose. Israel has taken the plunge since the end of the summer and more than 40% of the population has already received a booster dose.

 On the occasion of this week of fear, let's dive together, readers, into the fascinating world of phobias with a little challenge. Will you be able to watch this video to the end?

There are countless phobias in the world whose distribution varies according to age, gender, experience, culture, and even time: there is no doubt that the fear of contracting a disease (nosophobia) will have taken a few steps ahead in the ranking this year.

It is therefore difficult to establish with certainty the most widespread phobias in the world. While tornado phobia (lilapsophobia) is naturally very represented in the United States (32% of the population in 2019), it is rather the phobia of snakes (ophiophobia) that prevails in India. Nevertheless, some trends seem to be emerging.

Fear and phobia: two very different things

Let's start by defining the subject of this article. A phobia is an irrational and sometimes disabling fear of an object or situation that does not present a direct danger, manifesting itself over a period of more than 6 months. It is in this to be distinguished from fear, which is most often a natural and necessary survival reflex. It's fear that gives you an extra dose of energy to escape when you come face to face with a viper.

On the other hand, it is the phobia that makes you blemak and close your eyes when you see the same animal on a screen, or when you are put in your hands an objectively harmless snake. There are three categories of phobias: social phobia, agoraphobia, and specific phobias -- which focus on a particular object or situation.

An anthology of phobias

Phobias manifest themselves in many forms, and while there are more than a hundred words to distinguish them, not all of them have their own name. Some are so specific that they probably only affect a handful of people. You, the readers, may have irrational fears that are impossible for you to put into words. For my part, I have two: that of intrusion into my home (which is not exactly scoundrelphobia -- fear of burglars or criminals), and that of not being able to take a full breath in some places (which is not exactly pnigophobia -- fear of being suffocated -- or claustrophobia -- fear of confined spaces).

Here is an anthology of some little-known phobias, a good opportunity to review your Latin or Greek classes: acarophobia (fear of itching), cathisophobia (fear of sitting), genuphobia (fear of the knee or the act of kneeling), koumpounophobia (fear of clothing buttons), ostraconophobia (fear of sea molluscs), pogonophobia (fear of beards), xanthophobia (fear of the color yellow) and more recently,  ecophobia, named in 1996 to designate fear (not so unreasonable) and the deep feeling of powerlessness in the face of climate change.

Classification of phobias

But then, what are the most common phobias? A 1998 study gathering a sample of 8,098 subjects offers the following ranking:

1. Acrophobia: fear of emptiness;

2. Aerophobia: fear of flying;

3. Arachnophobia: fear of spiders;

4. Astraphobia: fear of lightning and thunderstorms;

5. Autophobia: fear of being alone;

6. Claustrophobia: fear of confined spaces;

7. Hematophobia: fear of blood;

8. Aquaphobia: fear of water and drowning;

9. Ophiophobia: fear of snakes;

10. Zoophobia: fear of animals.

To each his fears

Remember that, even if these can be found almost everywhere on the globe, these phobias are not representative of each society or community. It's a safe bet that in Niger, the poorest country in the world, few people have the luxury of worrying about their phobia of flying and that the phobia of losing a loved one is much more important.

Less than 10 years after the publication of this study, the world had already changed so much that it was discovered that there could be homophobia (the fear of not having your mobile phone with you or of no longer having a battery). Today, it is coronaphobia that is emerging.

Finally, Dena Rabinowitz, a specialist in cognitive-behavioral therapies, told Business Insider: "I think the most important thing I'd like us to remember about our phobias is that a lot of people have them. They are quite normal. And there is a way to get help. It is quite easy to cure phobias. Most people can be cured of their phobia in a few sessions. If your phobia interferes with your life or causes you distress, find a behavioral therapist and you can work to overcome it."

 First of all, let it be said, there is no age to get into sports! You can resume a sports activity at any age, simply respecting your body, its rhythm, and its state of health. Do not hesitate to ask a doctor for advice to find a suitable activity, in addition to following our advice in this area.

Resume an activity to enjoy the benefits of sport

Physical activity is not only a very effective way to lose weight and maintain your slim and toned figure. In addition to a healthy and balanced diet, it is also a great ally for your immune defenses and your general well-being. Intensive or regular participation in sport helps prevent many chronic, mental, and/or age-related diseases. Let's see, in detail the benefits of sport on your body and your overall quality of life.

What physical activity to practice to be in shape?

To begin with, it is worth returning to the meaning of "physical activity". Are some sports more appropriate than others? Indeed, when looking to start an activity, the choice that arises is particularly vast.

However, note that, unless contraindicated by your physical condition (pregnancy, specific disability, special disorders), all sports are beneficial to your body. Jogging, swimming, bodybuilding, team sport, aerobics at home... It's up to you to decide according to your preferences and physical abilities. The important thing is to devote at least thirty minutes each day. Of course, you have to adapt this sports activity to your age and physical ability, otherwise, you will generate nothing but frustration. Or worse, injuries!

Among the most popular sports activities, walking is a favorite. Not only does it integrate perfectly with your daily activities, but it is also extremely easy, in the sense that it does not require any equipment. For its part, bodybuilding is also a very effective activity to maintain muscle mass. It also makes it possible to sculpt an irreproachable silhouette. You should know that the damage of time is considerable. From the age of 30, we lose an average of 0.5% of our muscle mass per year. Sport intervenes here as a real elixir of youth, helping to regenerate bone, muscle, or nerve tissues.

Respect your rhythm! 

Whatever the activity is chosen, whether it is bodybuilding, running, or any other activity, start slowly, to gradually increase the intensity over the sessions. Respect your body's signals, and know-how to stop when necessary. A workout always begins with a general warm-up, often in the form of light jogging. It ends with ten to fifteen minutes of recovery and stretching, during which you gradually decrease physical exercise, and therefore the heart rate.

The benefits of sports activity on physical health

Beyond the obvious improvements in sports performance and physical fitness, regular sports practice is incredibly effective in preventing many chronic, cardiovascular, and degenerative diseases.

An effective vector in the fight against cardiovascular diseases

Regular physical activity improves and regulates the functioning of the heart system, dramatically decreasing all cardiovascular risk factors. Sport:

1. Reduces high blood pressure by up to 50%;
2. Reduces levels of "bad" cholesterol (LDL) and blood triglycerides;
3. Increases the level of "good" cholesterol (HDL) in the body;
4. Intervenes in the vasodilation of the vessels, to improve blood circulation;
5. Regulates blood sugar levels, thereby reducing the risk of diabetes;
6. Over time, it helps to make the heart more resistant and to get less tired during physical exertion.

An effective way to fight overweight and obesity

Be careful, obesity remains a pathology that requires medical care, and it is not a question here of affirming that sport makes it possible to systematically avoid obesity or overweight. However, it is an activity widely prescribed by therapists, in addition to appropriate treatment, to accompany patients on the road to recovery.

In general, physical activity remains ideal for small weight losses, and the preservation of one's weight of form, in order to obtain a slimmer and more toned figure. The sport also helps limit the risk of overweight or obesity in children. If you want to refine yourself, choose cardio sports such as swimming, elliptical, or running. On the other hand, if you prefer to build muscle, it is activities such as dance, Pilates, bodybuilding, or aerobics, which will suit you best.

Strengthening bone structure

This is not the most well-known effect of sport on the body, but it is one of its greatest benefits. Regular physical activity is beneficial for improving your bone density. Indeed, the contraction movement exerted by the muscles on the bones, via the tendons, will help strengthen the strength and robustness of your bones. The good health of your bone mass, therefore, depends not only on the amount of calcium you ingest but also on the sport you practice.

When it comes to bone health, a reference is often cited: Wolff's law. According to her, bones are formed and absorbed according to the mechanical stresses we inflict on them. Muscle and sports activity can condition these constraints and make the bones stronger. This bone and muscle strengthening is quite indicated to limit the appearance of chronic conditions such as low back pain, inflammatory rheumatism, osteoporosis, or osteoarthritis.

The benefits of sport against aging

Sport is a great tool for preventing degenerative diseases, often related to age. By promoting endurance, muscle volume, bone density, and simply strength, physical activity repels the appearance of many signs of aging, while contributing to the decrease in bone injuries, back or knee pain, joint pain, and other chronic diseases, thus improving longevity. It is estimated that two to three hours of sport per week, for the oldest subjects, can extend life expectancy by almost five years. 

Enough to age in shape and in total autonomy! Indeed, sport makes it possible to postpone the loss of autonomy that most often occurs with age. This is related to our sedentary lifestyle, not just aging. 

The benefits of sport on the immune system 

Too little is said about it: the interest of sport for the body's natural defenses, which are simply called "immune system". Certainly, the effectiveness of our immune defenses depends on several factors, such as the quality of our diet, or our physical condition. While sport contributes to longer life expectancy and reduced mortality, it also preserves the health of young people and adults. It makes our natural defenses more effective, more resistant to external aggressions of all kinds. Bacteria, viruses, pathogens, fungi, etc. In women, in particular, sport increases the production of immune response regulators. Endurance sports are also known to help combat the decline in immunity. So, to your sneakers!

Considerable anti-inflammatory properties 

Whether you have pathology or are in good health, sport is really beneficial. It is known, for example, that sports activity activates the sympathetic nervous system, generating an increase in blood pressure, as well as heart rate. In addition, the body also produces norepinephrine and adrenaline through physical exertion. These hormones cause beneficial immune responses, which help regulate the secretion of cytokines in the body. Cytokines are linked to the mechanism of inflammation! Sports activity, therefore, has direct effects on markers of inflammation. 

In addition, the sport has beneficial effects on chronic inflammations related to inflammatory diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis or arthritis. Sport is essential to maintain the shape of the muscles and to ensure the proper functioning of our joints. 

Benefits of sport: anti-cancer effects

Numerous scientific studies have revealed the preventive action of sports activity against certain types of cancer. There is an 18% decrease in the risk of colon cancer or a 21% decrease in the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women. Beyond the preventive aspect, sport also allows cancer patients to maintain a good physical condition. Especially when it comes to muscle mass. This can play a positive role in resistance to treatments and the healing process.

The mental health benefits of sport

The benefits of sports activity are not limited to improving physical fitness; Sport is also a vector of well-being, acting directly on our mental health.

Sport conveys a sense of overall well-being

This has happened to all of us before. What is this feeling that invades us after an intensive sports session? We are emptied, washed out..But also completely relaxed and serene. This feeling of well-being, almost euphoric, has its origin in endorphins. These pleasure hormones sent by the brain following the realization of an intense effort. Like a drug, this is also what explains an irrepressible need to train. By dint of training, some athletes can no longer do without their sports routine. Practiced with good reason, sport allows you to feel more well-being and serenity. 

The benefits of sport on intellectual abilities 

As we have seen, the intensive practice of a sport, and in particular an endurance sport, contributes to the improvement of blood circulation in the body. As a result, carbon dioxide is also transported faster, resulting in better oxygenation of the brain. Brain activity is therefore greatly stimulated, improving our thinking or memory skills. It also improves morale, psychological balance and fights against nervous tension. In addition, it is favorable for brain development. 

Sport, a quality anti-stress

As a result of the action of endorphins, and this general well-being, stress and anxiety levels also decrease significantly with the practice of intense sports activity. Beyond its tranquilizing effect, sport also makes it possible to make a break with everyday life and to forget, for a few hours, the small hassles that usually occupy our minds. Subsequently, it helps us to approach these problems with much more serenity.

It is a real tool to fight against stress, anxiety attacks, or depression. It is all the more beneficial in children, adolescents, and seniors, the most affected by the lack of recognition and self-confidence.

Better sleep quality through sport

Intensive and regular sports practice is ideal to improve sleep cycles and enjoy a restful sleep. Again, endorphins, and the feeling of well-being they transmit, help the body to immerse itself in a deeper sleep. Sleep free of stress and anxiety. Sport is therefore a formidable ally in the fight against insomnia. 

The integration of new life values

Indirectly, sport strengthens the bonds of social belonging and integration. It is often used in rehabilitation therapy for marginalized people. Indeed, whether it is a football team, a weight room, group activities (aerobics, dance, Crossfit, etc.) ... Sport brings together different individuals around the same passion. Enough to be able to forge strong relational links.

Beyond the societal aspect, a sporting activity, and in particular team sports, is an excellent vector learning for young people. Sport conveys values of friendship, solidarity, respect, self-control, surpassing oneself or courtesy.

The benefits of sport: to conclude 

Sport, accompanied by an adapted diet, has often been considered as a way to lose weight quickly and effectively. And this, without dwelling on its incredible benefits of the physical and mental health of the one who practices it. However, with the elements presented above, we understand that physical activity is real therapy, effective at any age and at any level... As long as you show a little motivation and willpower. So, what are you waiting for to put on your sneakers?

The Determinants of Mental Health