Cardiologist: Exercise, a pill taken daily

A U.S. cardiologist says exercise is like a pill that should be taken daily for good health.

This pill, suggests Dr. Philip Ades of the University of Vermont College of Medicine, controls weight, lowers blood pressure, prevents diabetes and heart disease, raises "good" cholesterol, improves fitness and elevates mood.

Ades published a study in the journal Circulation showing insulin resistance, blood pressure and a number of other cardiac risk factors improved due to weight loss resulting from exercise being combined with mild caloric restriction. Ades suggests eating an American-Mediterranean diet that includes olive oil, protein-rich legumes, fish and whole grains.