Walk an Hour Daily for Longevity, Says Expert

Pioneering research from the University of Southern California suggests that maintaining longevity might be simpler than widely believed. Dr. Valter Longo, head of the Longevity Institute, proposes that a daily hour of brisk walking could be a key to staying younger. While the popular advice is to aim for 10,000 steps, Dr. Longo's blog indicates that an hour of walking daily is sufficient, with a recommendation to walk everywhere on weekends, avoiding polluted areas.

This aligns with current NHS advice, which emphasizes that even 10 minutes of brisk walking daily offers significant health benefits, including calorie burning and improved cardiovascular health. For those unsure about their pace, the NHS offers a free app to help increase walking speed. Professor Claire Steves of King's College London also noted that approximately 3 hours of walking per week could enhance brain health, suggesting that any increase in exercise, even minimal, offers improvements.

Dr. Longo further clarifies that about two and a half hours of moderate exercise per week, with some vigorous sessions, supports a longer life. He notes that most benefits are achieved within the initial two-and-a-half hours, making additional exercise optional. Recent University of Bristol research on mice also indicates that regular aerobic exercise, such as swimming, running, or walking, may reduce Alzheimer's markers.