The Benefit of Physical Activity on the Health of Male Naturopaths
by E. Cheraskin, M.D., D.M.D.

Editor: It is generally agreed that physical activity is an important ingredient in lifestyle. In a recent survey, Hakin and associates¹ found that the death rate of men who regularly walked more than two miles a day was about half that of those who walked less than one mile a day (23% versus 40.5%). Their study was based on 707 non-smoking, retired men aged 61 to 81 years enrolled in the Honolulu Heart program and followed for 12 years. In addition, a recent report has shown that even children who watch four or more hours of television a day have a greater body mass index (p<. 001) than those who watch less than two hours.² Interestingly, every textbook supports the notion that physical activity, especially walking, is the best moderator of metabolism available today.^3-8

Seventy male naturopaths, graduates of the Clayton College of Natural Health, were supplied with the Cornell Medical Index Health Questionnaire (CMI). The CMI has been time-tested by allopathic physicians for approximately 50 years. It contains over 200 questions ininformal language. The answers are expressed as organic findings (A-L) and psychological (M-R). Question #37 asks, "do you get regular daily exercise?" We found that 52 of the 70 naturopaths (74%) exercised on a daily basis. Practically all of the answers from questions A to L showed improvement from physical activity. For example, fatigue and the frequency of illness was markedly reduced as compared with the non-exercising group. There was also a significant reduction in psychological symptoms such as tension and anger. We have also observed that vitamin and mineral supplementation produced a reduction in psychological complaints in naturopaths.⁹ Obviously, therefore, there are other lifestyle changes that can make a difference to health. For example, very few naturopaths smoke, drink alcoholic beverages and/or coffee/tea.

In general, it can be said that physical activity influences all parts of the organism and even can halt osteoporosis. In a recent study, it has been shown that women over the age of 50 who currently walk or cycle outdoors for more than 30 minutes a day are 20% less likely to develop osteoporosis.¹⁰ Walking for four or more hours a week reduced the risk of women gaining weight around the waist by 16% in 44,000 women followed for 10 years.¹¹ A group of previously sedentary individuals started a regular walking program for 40 minutes three times a week at a brisk pace. Those with glaucoma reduced the eye pressures by 20% (Unpublished observation). These examples, and others like it, indicate the importance of physical activity in maintenance of health, one of the important teachings of naturopathy.

References

1. Hakin A A, Petrovich H, Burchfield C M, et al. Effects of walking on mortality among nonsmoking retired men. N Engl J Med 1998;338:94-99.
2. Andersen R E, Crespo C J, Bartlett S J, et al. Relationship of physical activity and television watching with body weight and level of fatness among children: results from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. JAMA; 1998; 279:938-942.
3. Iknoian T. Walking Fast. Champaign, Illinois. Human Kinetics: 1998.
4. Snowdon L, Humphreys M. Walk Aerobics. Woodstock, Overlook Press: 1995.
5. Kuntzleman C T. Rating the Exercises: How to Choose the Exercise that Suits You Best. New York, William Morrow & Company:1987
6. Yanker G D. Rockport's Complete Book of Exercise Walking. Chicago, Contemporary Books: 1983.
7. Stutman F A. The Doctor's Walking Book: How to Walk Your Way to Fitness and Health. New York, Ballantine Books: 1980.
8. Kortge C S. The Spirited Walker. San Francisco, Harper: 1998.
9. Cheraskin E. Treatment of naturopaths with vitamins and minerals for psychological symptoms. Let's Live: (In press).
10. Silman A J, O'Neill T W, Cooper C, et al. Influence of physical activity on vertebral deformity in men and women: results from the European Vertebral Osteoporosis Study. J Bone Min Res 1997; 12:813-819.
11. Kahn H S, Tatham L M, Health C W, Jr. Contrasting factors associated with abdominal and peripheral weight gain among adult women. Int J Obesity 1997; 10:903-911. Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine 13: #4, 223-224, Fourth Quarter 1998.

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