These 30 minutes could save your life

Today, I want to share two more new studies that prove, once again, how beneficial exercise is to your overall health.  

But this time, research shows it isn’t just short bursts of strenuous exercise that make a difference. Rather, the slow and steady path to a longer life is every bit as reliable… 

Intensity isn’t everything 

Researchers recently discovered that older people who boost their low-intensity activity by just 30 minutes a day may lower their risk of death—and that’s regardless of how much moderate-to-vigorous activity they’re getting daily. 

Sure, people who spent at least 150 minutes weekly on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity saw their risk of death drop by 67 percent. But every 30 minutes of low-intensity activity—like chores around the house or a stroll around the block, for example—was also linked with a 20 percent drop in risk of death.  

In fact, higher total physical activity, low-intensity physical activity, getting at least 150 minutes of activity per week, and lower sedentary time were all linked with a lower risk of death by any cause.  

Meanwhile, every extra 30 minutes of sedentary time was linked with a 32 percent higher risk of dying from any cause.  

And let’s face it—your vigorous activity levels are bound to decline with age. So instead giving up, start leaning on low-intensity activities instead. Because any reduction in sedentary time is also going to help you live longer.   

Walk your way to a longer life 

Another recent study showed that women who walked between 2,100 and 4,500 steps every day had a 38 percent lower risk of heart disease death than women who walked less.  

Meanwhile, women who walked more than 4,500 steps every day cut their risk of heart disease death nearly in half. Pretty impressive benefits, considering that’s still much lower than the standard recommended goal of 10,000 steps daily. 

I suppose you can chalk that up to yet another arbitrary medical guideline that somehow cemented into gospel. (Sadly, this is common in health and medicine. Take the debate over eggs, low-sodium diets, or fiber recommendations—all with flimsy evidence on their side.)  

Of course, I’m not saying you shouldn’t take 10,000 steps a day. Obviously, the more you move your body, the better. All I’m saying is that even if you’re “only” taking 2,100—a fraction of that standard recommendation—you’re still doing your body a whole lot of good. 

So, for the millionth time: Find something you like doing, get off the sofa, and do it. (And keep doing it.)  

P.S. Of course, exercise alone won’t protect you against the outrageous amounts of sugar and carbohydrates people consume nowadays. So it’s important to keep your diet in check, too. I talk more about how in the November 2020 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter (“FACT: You can’t outrun obesity”). Not yet a subscriber? Click here to become one today! 

Source: 

“Exercise Needn’t Be Strenuous to Reduce Heart Risk.” Medscape Medical News, 03/06/2020. (medscape.com/viewarticle/926371)