Alternative Health Blog

If you are a runner, this blog will help you see your way to keep going. A new study from the Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory reports that the more miles long-distance runners log the less they are at risk for developing age-related macular degeneration. This is a condition in which central vision is compromised, causing major vision loss.

What’s more, a regular running habit appears to reduce cataracts or the clouding of the eye lenses that reduces quality of life, particularly among men.  Researcher Paul T. Williams said “we found there are things people can do when they are younger” to prevent what has been considered an inevitable result in older years. More than half of all adults 65 and older develop cataracts and roughly three of 10 older individuals will suffer macular degeneration. This study shows running can reverse that trend.

Such vision problems have been attributed to aging, sun exposure, diabetes, obesity and smoking. Establishing yourself as a runner during early to middle-age adult years represents a way to change the pattern of vision decline. The Berkeley scientists found this reversal to hold after more than a decade of follow-up, especially if runner average up to 40 miles per week no matter the minutes-per-mile rate.

Of course, the running habit comes with other benefits, including lower body-mass index and increased energy. Even an average of 1.5 to two miles per day can lower risk of vision degeneration by 20 percent. Going more than two miles can lower the risk by up to 50 percent.

Right, time to get fitted for a new pair of running shoes.

If you are not a runner, starying with a brisk walking program can help you produce similar positive results. Make no mistake: the study reveals that progressing to running rather than walking will do wonders for your vision protection.   

Bob Condor blogs for Alternative Health Journal every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.