Three Health Benefits Associated With Running

Running isn’t always easy, but the people who enjoy running do it for the great rewards: not only do they feel great at the end of the day, they keep their weight stable (or lose weight if need be), they keep getting out of the house, and they feel better about themselves personally. But those intrinsic rewards aren’t all you get from running; you can get some real and tangible health benefits from running, as you’re about to find out.

Improved HDL, or “the good cholesterol.” One study showed that people who ran 50 miles or more a week saw an improvement in their HDL levels, also known as the “good cholesterol.” The more we know about cholesterol, the more we realize how good cholesterol can help our bodies – and if you want to raise the good kind, there is evidence to suggest that running helps do that.

Lower blood pressure. Blood pressure is a frequent medical issue in America, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean that it should be. There is a common perception that people who frequently run “wear out” their heart, but it’s been shown that people who run 10 miles or more a week have less risk of coronary heart disease than people who run less than that. The more stable you keep your blood pressure, and other systems parts of your body, the better chance you have at staying healthy for the long-term. That doesn’t only mean a longer life, but a higher quality of life as well.

The statistics on the blood pressure front are amazing: long-distance runners were found to have almost a 50% “reduction” in blood pressure and more than a 50% reduction in the use of blood pressure medication.

Decreasing body fat. Body fat isn’t always a bad thing – a healthy body will always retain a certain amount of fat – but if you have excess body fat, you need a way to get rid of it. Running can do this quickly, as you need a lot of fuel to keep you going on a regular basis. If you have excess body fat, remember that you can’t simply burn body fat in specific parts of your body – your body draws fat from all over. If you want to slim down, running is a good way to go.

Check out MedicineNet.com to see the source of these statistics. Learn about running and see if it’s for you.

Photo Credits: Sport Communities

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Posted by Bike Swim Run on November 10, 2009 in Health, Running. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.