"Walking is a man's best medicine"- Hippocrates

Walking: The Best Medicine!

Did Hippocrates get it right when he said: “Walking is a man’s best medicine.”?

If so, why?

Besides being low impact on your joints, it’s free, most people can do it anywhere, it doesn’t require a huge investment for equipment…walking systemically triggers improvement in your health mentally, emotionally, and physically.  I suspect that’s why Hippocrates chose the word “best”.

Below are just some of the benefits of walking alone, however imagine if you add in proper nutrition and hydration!

Cardiovascular:

-helps to ward off heart disease and strengthen the heart

-lowers blood pressure

-reduces risk of stroke (Based off Harvard Study- women who walk for 30 minutes daily at a brisk pace have a 40% lower stroke risk)

-increases circulatory rate of oxygen in bloodstream which eliminates waste products, improves energy, and improves recovery time

Bone & Soft Tissue:

-because the majority of joint cartilage has NO direct blood supply, movements like walking help to “pump” nutrients & oxygen into those areas.

-stops the loss of bone mass for those with osteoporosis (Michael A. Schwartz, MD-Plancher Orthopedics)

-30 minutes of walking daily reduces the risk of hip fractures as we age

 Brain Function:

-walking releases endorphins & enkephalins which boosts mood, improves memory, and are natural painkillers

-helps to improve sleep quality

-studies show a 50% lower rate of dementia & Alzheimer’s Disease for those who walked over a quarter a mile per day

 Weight & Longevity:

-a brisk 30 minute walk can burn between 200-250 calories

-walking will help to tone and strengthen your legs & abdomen

-studies show that people in their 50’s & 60’s who walk/exercise daily are 35% less likely to die within the next 8 years compared to their couch-potato counterparts