The Importance of Movement

My family and I went to Amsterdam a few summers ago to support my son’s jazz music endeavors. I love Europe for many reasons, but the food is one of the biggest. Since I had never been to Amsterdam, I decided to try some dishes with ingredients I was intolerant of because I wanted to experience the culture. Of course, I expected the symptoms afterward, but they never came.When we returned to the States, I began to suffer the same symptoms as always— bloating and discomfort. I racked my brain to find some explanation for why I could splurge a little when I was in Amsterdam, but not when I was in California.

I listed all the differences between my time in the two cities, and the big one that kept standing out was that we walked most places daily. Before moving to Los Angeles, I lived in New York City, where I didn’t suffer from digestive issues. In NYC, I walked everywhere for the most part. Since moving to Los Angeles, I had to accept that it was necessary to drive to most places. The city is enormous, and getting from one appointment to the other usually takes thirty to forty minutes by car. I worked out regularly, but I only walked the dog, which was sporadic, and we didn’t go far. Then, I thought about walking and how hip flexion muscles also contribute to abdominal flexion and realized that my neglect of walking might contribute to my stomach issues. So, I started walking the dogs more regularly. I walked faster and farther, and guess what? My symptoms began to subside! Finally, after listening to my body, I heard. Whenever I feel digestive discomfort, I realize I haven’t walked as much as I need.

After my discovery, I researched how movement affects gut health. I was surprised to learn of a recent scientific discovery that explains how gentle movement “modifies the gut microbiota, with positive health effects.” Microflora in our gut provides nutrients, regulates epithelial development, and improves our immune system. “The gut microbiota plays various important functions for the host’s health. For example, the gut microbiota is essential for the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, facilitating peristalsis.”

In other words, it helps the intestines facilitate wave-like muscle contractions that move food through the digestive tract. Recent findings suggest low-intensity exercise can influence the GIT, reducing the contact time between pathogens and the gastrointestinal mucus layer. As a result, experts believe gentle movement has protective effects, reducing the risk of colon cancer, diverticulosis, and inflammatory bowel disease.

Moving our bodies every day is essential. It gets our blood flowing and our hearts beating and has many benefits:

• Reduced risk of heart disease
• Increased muscle strength
• Reduced body fat
• Stronger bones
• Increased heart and lung fitness
• Increased digestive function

Walking

Walking briskly for thirty minutes daily ensures health benefits; if difficult, try walking for ten minutes three times daily. Some ways to walk more are walking the dogs (my favorite), walking instead of driving, parking your car at a central location, and walking to all the shops. Also, you can start taking stairs instead of elevators or escalators or park far away from your destination and walk the rest of the way. These are just some ideas. There are endless ways to incorporate more walking into your daily schedule.