Walking SLASHES your risk of three DEADLY diseases?

Walking is a normal part of my life. But I’m lucky enough to live in a city where I can walk virtually anywhere. Not everyone has this luxury.

That said, my hope is that you seek out opportunities to walk as often as possible—no matter where you live.

After all, walking is a simple, effective way to stay physically active. And it works wonders for your health.

In fact, a new study reveals how it may SLASH your risk of three particularly DEADLY diseases.

Let me explain…

Walk more, ward off disease

According to researchers from the University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, the more “walkable” your neighborhood is, the less likely you are to suffer from obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

For the new study, researchers obtained data from over 170 studies that previously analyzed how one’s “built environment” influences activity levels—and therefore, disease risk.

(Your “built environment” includes street layout, residential versus commercial zoning, bicycle paths, and public transportation.)

Here are some of the most dramatic findings…

In one of the analyses, compared to those living in the least walkable neighborhoods, those living in the most walkable—with access to public transportation and parks—spent up to 1.5 more hours per week being physically active.

In another study, researchers found that young- and middle-aged adults in walkable environments were nearly 55 percent less likely to be overweight or obese, compared to those living in the least walkable areas.

And when it comes to blood sugar management and diabetes prevention, analyses revealed the following…

Those living in the least walkable areas had a:

• 20 percent higher risk of being diagnosed with prediabetes over an 8-year period.
• 30 to 50 percent higher chance of developing full-blown diabetes within just five years.

Finally, simply moving to a highly walkable area translated to a 54 percent lower likelihood of a high blood pressure diagnosis within 10 years.

Pretty good motivation to live somewhere walkable… or commit to walking more… wouldn’t you agree?!

Get your move on

As I’m always preaching, you HAVE to move your body regularly if you want to ward off ANY type of disease.

And clearly, simply going for a walk can help you do just that.

Indeed, this isn’t the first study to show how important walking is for our health.

I’ve reported here before how walking can help ward off major cardiovascular events. It can also help protect an aging brain.

So whether or not you live in a walkable neighborhood or would consider moving someplace more accessible, the lesson here is clear: Move… and keep moving.

Take a walk first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, after dinner, or as often as you can. Choose a parking spot far away and walk further to your destination. Take the stairs.

These are just a few simple ways to get your move on.

After all, metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure plague us year after year. But as this research suggests, something as simple as walking more may help keep them at bay.

And really, anything helps in our fight to live a long, happy, and healthy life!

Until next time,
Dr. Fred

P.S. To learn more about how an after-dinner walk can CRUSH diabetes risk specifically, check out the February 2022 issue of my monthly Logical Health Alternatives newsletter (“The only “magic bullet” that can conquer heart disease, diabetes, dementia, and MORE”). Not yet a subscriber? Click here to become one!

Source:
“Walkable Neighborhoods Mean Less Obesity and Diabetes.” Medscape, 03/04/2022. (medscape.com/viewarticle/969696)