Exercise may help wounds heal faster

When it comes to the number of health benefits that can be obtained from regular exercise, there truly are too many too count. Just when you think you've heard them all (improved circulation, reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease, lower cholesterol, etc.), something new and equally as interesting emerges.

Such is the case with a recent study from the University of Illinois, which led to the discovery that regular exercise may actually help wounds heal faster!! How much faster? Well, based on the study, wounded mice who exercised were able to heal 25 percent faster than wounded mice that did not.

What's more, researchers found that exercise lowered inflammatory protein levels by almost 75 percent. The increased blood flow caused by exercise may also have a healing effect; rapid blood flow transports more oxygen and nutrients to the wound.