Going Running!

Here in Michigan the weather is finally turning nice and going running is especially rejuvenating this time of the year. This brings me to a much talked about subject, but unfortunately way underused modality in preventing disease. EXERCISE. Yes I know you all know the reasons why you should trade the couch for a pair of roller skates, running shoes, or golf clubs.

I will try to show you the "proof" behind all that talk. I am taking a Naturopathy Class right now and again, exercise is stressed in almost every chapter of the text book.

Here is the study everyone is talking about in class.

The Aerobics Center Longitudinal Study.*

9,777 men from 20 to 82 in age with at least two medical examinations at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, Texas from December 1970 to December 1989. All subjects achieved at least 85% of their age predicted maximal heart-rate during both exams. Men were considered healthy if in addition to normal EKG no history of heart attack, stoke, diabetes or high blood pressure was evident at both exams.

6,819 men were considered healthy and 2,958 unhealthy. Based on treadmill test they were further divided into 5 groups labeled as "unfit" or "fit." The higher the group number the higher the fitness.

The highest death rate (from all causes) was observed in men who were UNFIT in BOTH exams (122.0 deaths per 10,000 man years). Men who moved from "unfit" to "fit" between the first and the other exam had an age adjusted death rate of 67.7 per 10,000 man years. A reduction in mortality of 44%!

Which translates that for each minute increase in treadmill time there was a corresponding 7.9% decrease in the risk of dying.

Couple that with the psychological, and psychoneuroimmunological (explored in future posts) effects of a good exercise program and you are on your way to optimum health.

I invite you to share your experiences pertaining to exercise and optimum health, why or why you haven't started an exercise program yet. Let's exchange ideas!

Beste Gesundheit,

Werner

*Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Michael Murray N.D., Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. (1998) Three Rivers Press, New York, NY.p37-38