Are you aware that running can help you live longer?
“I don’t run to add days to my life, I run to add life to my days.”
-Ronald Rook
With this beautiful quote by Ronald Rook let’s discuss how running helps to live longer!
We all know that running boosts our stamina, and also maintains overall well-being. But now we have got yet another reason as running significantly lowers the risk of death from any cause.
Analysis
- It has been found by past researches that running reduces the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, disability, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
- It also improves aerobic endurance, heart function, and metabolism.
- It has been stated by the British Journal of Sports Medicine that if more people took up running–and they wouldn’t have to run far or fast–there would likely be substantial improvements in population health and longevity.
- British Journal of Sports Medicine, suggests that running can significantly improve your health and reduce the risk of death at a given point in time.
- “Increased rates of participation in running, regardless of its dose, would probably lead to substantial improvements in population health and longevity,” researchers stated.
These components are important for our overall health status. So, it is appropriate to say that running increases longevity. But previous scientific evidence is disagreeing on this.
According to the study, any amount of running was associated with a 27 percent lower risk of death from all causes for both sexes, compared with no running.
Running is good at guarding against cancer partly because it uses up blood sugar, starving the cancer cells that rely on it for fuel. And it protects you in other ways not necessarily measured in the latest research: by decreasing inflammation, for example, which is at the root of many diseases, and stimulating the production of a protein that improves brain health, Lieberman says. Running forces it to adapt by “generating more capacity,” he says. “You grow more capillaries and small arteries, and that helps lower your blood pressure.”
Tip for beginners
Beginners need to start running slowly and gradually to increase the pace, duration and weekly frequency. Set your target of 50 minutes a week or more, and run at a comfortable speed. Be reliable, but don’t let yourself run out of steam.
“Some people are running in order to stave off Alzheimer’s, and other people to prevent heart disease, and other people because it makes them feel better and others for depression.” No piece of research—including the latest—can define a truly optimal number after which all health perks wane. But one finding is clear: anything greater than zero m.p.h. is where you’ll reap the biggest benefits.
You’ll be amazed to know that running has many more benefits besides life expectancy!
Go through this!
