Benefits of the ‘wonder drug’
as reported in the new york times: next time when you go for a check-up, don’t be surprised if your doctor prescribes walking. yes, this simple activity, which you’ve been doing since you were about a year old, is now being described as “the closest thing we have as a wonder drug,” said dr. thomas frieden, former director of the centers for disease control and prevention.
the harvard university has also published a training course on “walking for better health,” and there is a booklet available online detailing this course, in which university experts explore simple and surprisingly effective ways to maximize the benefits of walking, through enhanced exercises that help build endurance, and even improve your mood which is as effective as the medicine. this great course is packed with practical tools you need to help you build strength, lose weight, improve your balance, improve your mood, and more.
any physical activity, including walking, is a boon to your overall health. but walking in particular comes with a host of benefits. here’s a list of five that might surprise you.
1. resists the effects of genes that cause weight: harvard researchers examined 32 genes that promote obesity in more than 12,000 people, to determine how much these genes actually contribute to body weight. among study participants who walked briskly for about an hour a day, the effect of those genes was halved.
2. helps tame a sweet tooth: two studies from the university of exeter found that a 15-minute walk can curb chocolate cravings, and even reduce the amount of chocolate you eat in stressful situations. the latest research confirms that walking can reduce cravings for a variety of sugary snacks.
3. reduces the risk of breast cancer: researchers already know that any type of physical activity reduces the risk of breast cancer. but a study conducted by the american cancer society focused on walking, and found that women who walked seven or more hours per week had a 14 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer, compared to those who walked three or fewer hours per week. walking provided this protection even for women with breast cancer risk factors, such as being overweight or using supplemental hormones.
4. walking relieves joint pain: several studies have found that walking reduces pain associated with arthritis, and that walking five to six miles per week can prevent arthritis from developing in the first place. walking protects the joints, especially the knees and hips, which are most susceptible to osteoarthritis, by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that support them.
5. boosts immune function: walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. a study of more than 1,000 men and women found that those who walked for at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week, had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. if they were sick, it was for a shorter duration and their symptoms were milder.
note: in reference to our article yesterday, regarding the arbitrariness in the arrest of the candidate “al-qarifa”, legal sources reported that the method of the ministry of interior in arresting the accused was correct, and it acted by an order of the public prosecution, in the “state security” case, so it is necessary to note.
