Last updated at
12:01AM, February 13 2015
Cycling to work, dancing and even having sex are
“miracle cures” for deadly diseases, according to a report by the leaders of
Britain’s doctors.
Exercise is as good as many drugs but some doctors
have forgotten about a radically effective treatment that is “staring them in
the face”, the Academy of Medical Royal
Colleges says.
People should fit half an hour of activity into
their daily routine to slash their chances of cancer, dementia or heart
disease, the report recommends after analysing more than 200 studies..
“Exercise is as good as many of the drugs out there
but it’s not been sold like that before,” said Scarlett McNally, a surgeon who
wrote the report. Just 30 minutes of moderate activity five days a week could
make a “huge difference” and would be enough for most people..
This level of exercise can cut the risk of
dementia, heart disease and some cancers by a third, research has shown. It can
help patients with depression, keep diabetes under control and make prostate
cancer much less likely to spread. Mrs McNally also said she had come to realise
that many of her elderly patients with fractured hips could have avoided the
injury if they had taken just a little bit more exercise.
“What we are seeing in our hospitals and surgeries
up and down the country is that ‘normal’ has become not enough exercise. Too
many of my patients are paying the price for that with broken bones and years
of ill health that could have been avoided by being more active,” she said.
“When you
fit it into your daily routine so it’s just what you do, you become fitter and
healthier without having to force it,” she said.
Professor Dame Sue Bailey, chairwoman of the
Academy of Medical Royal Colleges, said: “There really is a miracle cure
staring us in the face, one which too many patients and doctors have quite
simply forgotten about . . . if physical activity was a drug it would be
classed as a wonder drug.”
Maureen Baker, chairwoman of the Royal College of
GPs, said: “GPs are well-placed to educate our patients about the benefits of
leading a healthy lifestyle, and today’s report shows how incorporating a
modest amount of exercise into our daily routines can ensure our long-term
health.
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