A moderate but regular exercise program appears to be the key to staying young at any age. Exercise has been shown to have an amazing positive effect on almost every aspect of middle-aged health, from lowering blood pressure to raising endurance and alertness. Studies all over the world have shown that exercise during middle age can stabilize blood sugar levels and help control adult-onset diabetes. It also increases bone density, dramatically reduces cardio-vascular risk, and lowers cholesterol.

Exercise has even been demonstrated to be a significant factor in avoiding the onset Alzheimer’s Disease. Older adults who exercise at least three times a week are almost 40% less likely to be diagnosed with the disease than those who don’t exercise.

Another exciting finding is that there doesn’t seem to be any “cutoff” age for experiencing the benefits of regular exercise. Study participants from age 40 to 90 all showed measurable and even startling improvements in health, strength, and mental clarity as a result of exercise.

Even the most apparently age-related problems of all, menopause and andropause (or “male menopause”), respond favorably to a regular exercise program. Middle aged female study participants who exercised at least three times a week reported a marked reduction in the uncomfortable symptoms of menopause, and recent research by the New England Research Institutes in Massachusetts suggest that lack of exercise and the resulting weight gain can significantly increase the amount of testosterone men lose during middle age. By exercising regularly and maintaining fitness over 50, it’s possible that midlife men could improve mental clarity, increase energy, and enhance sexual function.

The best news of all is that realizing the dramatic benefits of over 50 fitness doesn’t require an intensive or rigorous regimen. Moderate exercise done regularly at least three times a week is enough to get the anti-aging process going.