Disease risks cut by exercise

REGULAR exercise cuts the risk of more than 20 illnesses, a review has revealed.

The chance of major diseases, including colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and stroke are all reduced with weekly exercise, according to the study.

"Apart from not smoking, being physically active is the most powerful lifestyle choice an individual can make for improved health outcomes," said the author, Leslie Alford from the school of physiotherapy at the University of East Anglia.

The review found it is never too late to start taking exercise, with older people seeing benefits from regular activity.