Are marathons bad for you? This article explains the benefits of long-distance running. Long-distance running improves immunity and promotes health. However, there are some negative consequences to this type of training, including a higher risk of heart disease and kidney damage. If you’re considering taking up this kind of training, read on to learn the truth about marathons. These marathons are not for everyone. Some people are better off without them than others.
Long-distance running boosts immune function
Many health benefits are associated with long-distance running. It strengthens bones and joints and prevents arthritis. As a bonus, it’s also good for the immune system. In addition, running in a low-intensity fashion can help prevent common illnesses. Lastly, long-distance running can be combined with other types of exercise, such as interval training or hill running.
One study found that moderate-intensity exercise like running and walking can boost immune function. It also improves levels of stress hormones and increases body temperatures, which may kill bacteria and viruses. But exercising too hard may have the opposite effect. For optimum immune function, you need to exercise at a moderate intensity. Even an hour-long jog will make a difference. In addition, moderate-to-vigorous exercise increases the number of immune cells in your body.
Nieman and colleagues studied the immune function of runners at the Los Angeles Marathon and found that those who train 60 miles a week had a significantly lower immune system than those who trained for 20 miles. In addition, marathon finishers had a six-fold increased risk of respiratory illness and infections. However, this reduction in immunity did not last long, and Nieman was not looking to discourage people from running, but rather to increase public awareness of the risks of coronavirus.
Runners should drink carbohydrates during their workouts to improve their immune systems. One liter of sports drinks can lower the levels of cortisol and other stress hormones. Additionally, consuming more fruits and vegetables has anti-inflammatory effects on the immune system. These are just a few examples of the many benefits of carbohydrate-rich workouts. But the best way to get your immune system working at its maximum potential is to combine the two.
It boosts health
There are countless health benefits of running and exercising. In marathon running, you can improve markers of cardiovascular health and lower blood pressure. Marathon running also reverses aortic stiffening, which is linked with an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Marathon runners are generally older than people who participate in shorter-distance races. If you are considering marathon running as an exercise option, read on to discover how this form of training can boost your health.
It causes kidney damage
One recent study examined the effects of marathon running on the kidneys. Researchers analyzed blood and urine samples from 22 marathon participants to determine if the stress placed on the kidneys during a marathon caused any damage. Creatinine, a waste product produced by the muscles during exercise, and inflammatory proteins were also detected in the blood. The researchers also compared the levels of these substances with the samples collected before and after the race.
Although the link between marathoning and kidney injury is still uncertain, it is generally safe for those who have no risk factors. Although most people do not suffer kidney damage during a marathon, you should consult your doctor before training for one. In addition, you should avoid taking acetaminophen before a race. While acetaminophen is metabolized by the liver, it can cause damage to the kidneys.
While long-distance running has many health benefits, it also places a high level of stress on the kidneys. It can cause kidney damage if it cannot properly filter waste from the blood and balance electrolytes in the blood. There are many reasons why this can happen, including prolonged exposure to heat. But there are some common causes of kidney damage, including marathon running. Here are the five most common causes. When it comes to long-distance running, you should make sure that you are doing something you enjoy.
A new study led by Yale School of Medicine researchers suggests that marathoning can cause short-term kidney damage. The study examined 22 runners who competed in the 2015 Hartford Marathon. The researchers found that 82 percent of them had a stage 1 acute kidney injury. Researchers believe the kidneys’ role in this process is a combination of dehydration, an increase in core body temperature, and low blood flow. The researchers also examined the cells of runners’ kidneys with a microscope.
It increases the risk of heart disease
It is not entirely clear why marathoning increases the risk of heart disease. The researchers studied a large group of people, with around ten percent of those involved in the study running a marathon. In addition to analyzing heart disease risk factors, they examined the smoking habits of participants. Smoking, which is associated with increased risks of heart disease, is also a factor in marathoning. While the risk is not high enough to warrant avoiding the sport, every mile of exercise does lower heart disease.
Although sudden cardiac death during a marathon is rare, it can still happen. Research from Johns Hopkins University showed that most of the sudden fatalities in marathons occurred in people with a history of heart disease or a congenital heart condition. It is still advisable to visit a physician before ramping up the mileage to prepare for a marathon. Your doctor will ask about your medical history and conduct tests, including a stethoscope hearing.
Although it is difficult to predict exactly what causes heart problems, chronic training for long-distance events may lead to accelerated heart disease. For one thing, excessive training for marathons can cause cardiac valves to become hard and rigid. This hardening of the valves is seen as an early warning sign of a heart attack. The problem with this is that the increased heart damage is only temporary. The study’s supporters say the research adds weight to the excessive endurance exercise hypothesis.
It harms the immune system
While the immune system benefits from sixty minutes of aerobic exercise per day, recent research shows that marathoning may cause a weakened immune response. Marathoners were also more susceptible to infectious episodes after large endurance events, including the New York City Marathon and the Chicago Marathon. In the 1982 Two Oceans Marathon, one-third of the runners reported experiencing symptoms of an upper respiratory tract infection within two weeks of the race. But this may not be the case. In the end, the question remains, does marathoning harm the immune system?
The study examined biochemical, hematological, and immunological parameters to determine whether marathoning can damage the immune system. Results showed changes in several of these parameters. The researchers concluded that marathoning is extreme stress on the body, which increases the body’s vulnerability to infections. While moderate physical activity is beneficial, ultra-endurance performance may harm the immune system, particularly in cold conditions. This is the conclusion of a study that followed 15 runners aged 40 or older.
In a study of 140 runners, three-quarters reported symptoms of upper respiratory infection (URI). While a non-running control group experienced none, that was not the case for the runners. This was attributed to an “open window” of altered immune function, which typically lasts from three to seventy-two hours after running. This “window” allows infectious bacteria and viruses to override the immune system.
Studies also indicate that running a marathon suppresses the immune system, possibly because the body is exposed to infectious materials and challenging physical activity. To prevent this, listen to your body’s warnings. If you feel unwell, skip the run. Regular exercise also increases the immune system’s strength. However, some people are more susceptible to colds and other infections after marathons than others. In addition to a weakened immune system, marathon runners are at risk for a cold up to six days after the race.
Conclusion
The marathon has long been considered a pinnacle of physical fitness. However, there is mounting evidence that this strenuous race may not be as good for you as you think. We hope this article provides some guidance on how to approach running and other forms of exercise so that you can get the most out of your workouts without putting your health at risk.