Run For Your Health, Not From It.
- Sara Burden
- Dec 13, 2020
- 3 min read
Running has become one of the most popular sports worldwide while also serving as a great way to get, and stay, in shape.
While we all probably know that running is good for us, has anyone ever actually explained why it is good for us? For some, the answer might be 'yes,' while others still need the answer to this crucial question.
For those of you who are still wondering, look no further! We are here to answer all of those nitty-gritty questions about how running affects the body physiologically.
Running to Reduce Blood Pressure:
Thousands of people worldwide suffer from Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). According to the CDC, Hypertension is a condition that results in a long-term increase in the force of blood within the arteries (CDC, 2020). While Hypertension has become a common condition among the adult population, many people are now looking for alternative methods to restore their blood pressure to healthy levels.
For those of you who enjoy running and those seeking a natural way to manage your blood pressure, it's time to break out those running shoes!
Running increases cardiovascular strength, resulting in a decrease in the effort for the heart to pump blood. When the heart doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood throughout the body, the force in the arteries will decrease; this decrease will result in Hypertension's natural management.
Researchers from the Mayo Clinic suggest that running or jogging for 30 minutes per day is a great way to stay in shape and reduce blood pressure (2019).
Running to Manage Cholesterol:
Let's get real people. We all hear the word 'Cholesterol' thrown around in pharmaceutical commercials or doctor visits, but what is Cholesterol?
The term Cholesterol refers to a lipid profile within the blood composed of HDL Cholesterol and LDL Cholesterol. So, Cholesterol is a lipid or fat/fatty acid.
LDL (low-density lipoprotein) Cholesterol is the bad-guy in this situation. High levels of LDL Cholesterol result in an overabundance of lipids in the blood. While high LDL Cholesterol levels can cause severe damage to the body, HDL (high-density lipoprotein) Cholesterol, the good-guy, helps with the removal of other forms of Cholesterol from the bloodstream.
For many people suffering from high levels of Cholesterol, the prescription of a Statin (a drug used to reduce levels of fat in the blood) seems like their only hope. While the prescription of a Statin yields positive results, many people dislike the idea of having to take medication every day for the rest of their lives. I mean, who can blame them!
For people out there who dislike taking prescription drugs, there is another solution to your high Cholesterol. So, go ahead and dust off those running shoes and find a song that makes you want to move!
Researchers studying aerobic exercise's effects on Cholesterol suggest that running anywhere from 7-14 miles per week can dramatically decrease LDL levels while increasing HDL levels. In this case, aerobic exercise has shown to amplify skeletal muscles' ability to utilize lipids, resulting in lower levels of LDL Cholesterol (Mann, Beedie, & Jimenez, 2013).
Added Benefits of Running:
While running is not the only form of exercise out there, and strength training, yoga, and HIIT exercises can also benefit the body, running has shown to improve many aspects of health.
Running not only helps manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol, but it can also improve mood and gastrointestinal functioning.
Don't be afraid or feel poorly if you can't make it as far as you want (on your run) when you first start. Health and wellness is a journey that takes time, and everyone sets their own pace! So, lace up those shoes, get out there, and conquer your health!
As always, and with much love,
The Vodou Wellness family
References:
CDC. (2020). High Blood Pressure Symptoms and Causes. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/bloodpressure/about.htm
Mann, S., Beedie, C., & Jimenez, A. (2014). Differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training and combined exercise modalities on cholesterol and the lipid profile: Review, synthesis and recommendations. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3906547/
MayoClinic. (2019). Exercise: A drug-free approach to lowering high blood pressure. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/high-blood-pressure/art-20045206
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