A study published in 2005 evaluated levels of C-reactive protein in sedentary men and women when placed on an exercise training program for five months. The patients significantly reduced the C-reactive proteins in the blood.
High levels of C-reactive protein in the blood indicates inflammation associated with heart disease, stroke and hypertension.
The patients who exercised also produced marked changes in body weight, glucose, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure.
What does this mean? That despite all my efforts to avoid exercise by living an otherwise healthy lifestyle, I gotta head to the gym. Or else.
Reference
Lakka TA, Lakka HM, Rankinen T, Leon AS, Rao DC, Skinner JS, Wilmore JH, Bouchard C. Effect of exercise training on plasma levels of C-reactive protein healthy adults: the HERITAGE Family Study. European Heart Journal, 26, 2018–2025, 2005 doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehi394
