Walking in the fresh air helps prevent heart disease

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According to research, being in the fresh air can reduce the risk of heart diseases.

The International Journal of Epidemiology (International Journal of Epidemiology) published the findings of scientists from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, according to which people who often walk in the fresh air have a good chance of preserving their heart healthy According to experts, walking in the fresh air helps prevent heart disease by getting enough vitamin D from sunlight. They associate the effect of this vitamin with the reduction of inflammation – one of the factors of cardiovascular pathologies.

“Inflammation can be a normal response of the immune system, but when it's too much, it can increase the risk of developing chronic diseases, including heart disease. People with higher levels of vitamin D are less likely to experience severe inflammation,” the researchers state.

In favor of their opinion, the data of the analysis of 294,970 people, participants of the British Biobank, testify. Researchers have found a link between vitamin D and inflammation, which is thought to be a driver of heart disease. In particular, it was found that a decrease in the level of vitamin D correlates with an increase in the level of C-reactive protein, a marker of inflammation. In turn, increased levels of vitamin D in the body are associated with lower levels of inflammation.

What is the easiest way to get vitamin D? One of the most accessible ways is walking in the fresh air. The human body is able to synthesize the vitamin organically, just by being in the fresh air. In sunny weather, it is enough to stay outside for up to 20 minutes.

In the months with little sun, in autumn and winter, it is also important to walk in the fresh air, but usually at this time of the year, additional intake of supplements is recommended, since there is not enough sunlight and daylight is getting shorter.

“Low levels of vitamin D may be associated with a number of chronic diseases, including cancer, multiple sclerosis, heart and circulatory diseases. At the same time, its deficiency is often the result of people's lifestyle, in particular, the fact that they spend a lot of time indoors,” experts said.