Mountains Lower Risk of Dying From Ischemic Heart Disease

Living in mountainous areas can be very enjoyable. At the same time, it can be very dangerous from natural disasters such as volcanic eruption, mudslides and forest fires frequently occurring on the mountains.

However, recent findings indicate that people living in high altitude settlements can have lower risk of dying from ischemic heart diseases.

According to Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO), lower oxygen levels turn on some genes in the human body that are known to change the function of heart for better. These genes are also known to produce new blood vessels in the body, and thereby creating new routes for blood flow in the heart.

The Norway-based organization noted that, apart from the various health benefits, mountains are known to inspire people for various physical activities. There are some adventure sports that are just not possible without mountains and these activities surely do the body good. Hiking, mountain biking, skiing and rock climbing burn calories in amounts way more than regular exercises. These activities also secrete various good hormones in the body that are good for the overall mind-body health.

The fresh air that mountains give offers the lungs an opportunity to breath in oxygen in the form that the body craves, since there are no cars or industrial areas to add any nasty gasses into the air, PRIO research indicates.

The same research suggests that, people living near the sea are generally more obese compared to people living in the mountains. It states further that even if a person visits ‘the mountains’ for a short period of time, he or she can experience weight loss.

Peace Research Institute Oslo is an independent peace and conflict studies research institution based in Oslo, Norway. It is regarded as the world’s “oldest and most prominent peace research center.

Ever thought of planning a vacation or going on retirement?  Think nowhere else than the beautiful nature of mountains to release stress and build up your happiness.

By: Abigail Karikari/ thePublisher