Effects of exercise and nutrition on metabolic and psychosomatic health in healthy aging: A mini-review
Year: 2026
Type: review
Abstract: The synergistic integration of regular physical activity and a healthy diet is considered crucial for optimizing both metabolic and psychosomatic health, offering a critical non-pharmacological strategy for promoting healthy aging. This mini-review aims to synthesize the present literature to assess the physiological, molecular, and psychological effects of these combined lifestyle interventions on aging processes. This article reviews meta-analyses and randomized controlled trials to demonstrate that exercise triggers key physiological adaptations, including increased insulin sensitivity and positive adipose tissue remodeling, while also exhibiting significant antidepressant and anxiolytic effects through various neurobiological pathways. It underscores that nutrition emerges not merely as a complementary factor but as a key modulator that strongly enhances the metabolic benefits of exercise and directly contributes to improved mental health outcomes. The central theme of this review is to highlight the profound synergy between these methods. The combination of these interventions alleviates chronic inflammation, optimizes metabolic parameters, and enhances psychological well-being more effectively than a single intervention. Consequently, integrated lifestyle programs offer highly positive health contributions, providing a robust, accessible, and practical approach to extending healthy lifespan, improving quality of life, and reducing the global burden of age-related diseases.
Language: English
Topic: Physical Activity and Health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7128077367