سـمـاح
06-11-2007, 11:23 PM
Walking Is Powerful Medicine
Maybe you want to lose a few pounds or protect your heart from disease or keep your bones strong and your joints limber. Walking can do all this and more.
Walking supports health in every sense: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It enriches and balances your life. No wonder the Greek physician Hippocrates deemed walking to be "man's best medicine."
Boosting Immunity, One Step at a Time
A daily walk keeps your immune cells ready to fight viruses and bacteria. In fact, some experts believe that walking may be one of your best weapons for fighting off infection and disease and recovering fast
A number of studies have shown that a moderate walk not only relieves the stress that may trigger or aggravate an illness but also stimulates your immune system, your body's main defense against disease. In one such study, a 45-minute walk (about 3 miles) increased the activity of certain immune cells by about 57 percent. The cells' activity level returned to normal about 3 hours after the walk.
Indeed, other studies show that intense exercise like an hour of heavy-breathing running can actually suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection.
Gaining Ground Against Cancer
If walking has a beneficial effect on the immune system, then might it have some protective effect against any type of cancer? The research so far seems promising.
Scientists don't yet understand how exercise might deter tumors, but they do know that people who work out regularly seem to get cancer less often than those who don't
What Else Can Walking Do for You
Interestingly, most studies of exercise have revealed some extraordinary information about what walking can do
It supports weight loss and weight maintenance.
It reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
It fends off diabetes by improving the body's ability to use insulin.
It eases the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
It keeps bones strong, which prevents osteoporosis
In women, it relieves premenstrual and menopausal discomforts
It improves sleep.
It builds strength, flexibility, and stamina
It enhances mental function
It counteracts anger, depression, and anxiety
As you can see, you have a lot to gain just from lacing up a pair of walking shoes and putting one foot in front of the other.
Maybe you want to lose a few pounds or protect your heart from disease or keep your bones strong and your joints limber. Walking can do all this and more.
Walking supports health in every sense: physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It enriches and balances your life. No wonder the Greek physician Hippocrates deemed walking to be "man's best medicine."
Boosting Immunity, One Step at a Time
A daily walk keeps your immune cells ready to fight viruses and bacteria. In fact, some experts believe that walking may be one of your best weapons for fighting off infection and disease and recovering fast
A number of studies have shown that a moderate walk not only relieves the stress that may trigger or aggravate an illness but also stimulates your immune system, your body's main defense against disease. In one such study, a 45-minute walk (about 3 miles) increased the activity of certain immune cells by about 57 percent. The cells' activity level returned to normal about 3 hours after the walk.
Indeed, other studies show that intense exercise like an hour of heavy-breathing running can actually suppress your immune system and make you more susceptible to infection.
Gaining Ground Against Cancer
If walking has a beneficial effect on the immune system, then might it have some protective effect against any type of cancer? The research so far seems promising.
Scientists don't yet understand how exercise might deter tumors, but they do know that people who work out regularly seem to get cancer less often than those who don't
What Else Can Walking Do for You
Interestingly, most studies of exercise have revealed some extraordinary information about what walking can do
It supports weight loss and weight maintenance.
It reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.
It fends off diabetes by improving the body's ability to use insulin.
It eases the pain and stiffness of arthritis.
It keeps bones strong, which prevents osteoporosis
In women, it relieves premenstrual and menopausal discomforts
It improves sleep.
It builds strength, flexibility, and stamina
It enhances mental function
It counteracts anger, depression, and anxiety
As you can see, you have a lot to gain just from lacing up a pair of walking shoes and putting one foot in front of the other.