It’s no secret that regular exercise brings a multitude of benefits. And for years, experts have touted the anti-inflammatory effects of hitting the gym or going for a run.
But initially, exercise actually causes inflammation. And thanks to a new study, experts now have a better idea of how that inflammation is eventually tamped down in the body.
Chronic inflammation can contribute to a host of ailments, including arthritis, cancer and mental illness. So, avoiding or reducing inflammation is extremely important.
The recent study in lab mice revealed that once exercise triggers inflammation, the body’s immune system sends T cells — a type of white blood cell also called Tregs [tee-regs] — to fight the flare-up. Sedentary mice were compared to mice that ran on a treadmill once and mice that ran regularly on a treadmill.
The mice that ran on a treadmill — even once — displayed signs of inflammation but also showed elevated levels of Treg cells in their muscles. The Tregs lowered inflammation in both active groups of mice. However, this activity was not seen in the muscles of sedentary mice.
Experts pointed out that as with humans, only the mice that exercised regularly saw longer-term metabolic and performance benefits of working out. Ultimately, researchers attributed those benefits to Tregs.
The recent study lays the groundwork for a greater understanding of Tregs in humans and their role in certain immune-mediated diseases.
For the average person, this is simply just one more great reason to exercise — even on those days when we might feel like a sedentary mouse.