Run for Your Life

Can running help you live longer? There’s no question that running, along with other forms of physical exercise, can improve your health, but can it really help you lengthen your life as you lengthen your stride?

Researchers at a Canadian university investigated that topic to find that sedentary individuals (those who do not exercise) could reduce their risk of premature death by 20 to 50% by becoming more active.

Even moderate amounts of running will decrease your levels of LDL (bad cholesterol), increase your HDL (good cholesterol), help to lower your blood pressure and improve your cardiac function.

Research has also shown that by increasing the amount of calories you burn through physical exercise by additional 1000 calories or about 10 miles of running per week, you can reduce your risk of premature death by another 20%.

That’s great news for people who are healthy and do not currently have cardiovascular disease.

What about those whom are already at risk? Also good news! The benefits of running also apply to individuals that already have cardiovascular disease. The researchers determined that burning around 1600 calories or 16 miles of running per week may stop the advancement of cardiovascular disease and 2200 calories or 22 miles of running per week could actually reverse the disease.

Either way, it’s time to hit the trail. Have a great run!