'Runner's High' from Exercise Is Good for the Heart, Says Study

In a recent press release, researchers at the University of Iowa said that they determined that the chemicals released during cardiovascular exercise do more than just make you feel good. Researchers have found that chemicals released by running also help protect against heart attacks.

Researchers determined that opioids actually affected a change in the heart muscle and other genes that cause cell death and inflammation. They hope that this study will allow them to develop a way to use our endorphins and opioids to help protect the hearts of people who suffer from having limited mobility.

Before this study, they already knew that when we have vigorous exercise our body produces endorphins and opioids. The opioids that our body produces are similar to a morphine substance produced by our own bodies.

They also knew that endorphins and opioids make us feel good. When people run long distances, these chemicals are released and are often called a "runners high."

Researchers used rats for this study. They took some of the rats and altered their chemistry so that their cells did not let the opioids and endorphins that were produced during exercise work normally.

They took another group of rats and did not make these changes. Both groups of rats were subjected to vigorous exercise.

The researchers were able to determine that the rats who were able to use their endorphins and opioids normally had significantly less damage to their hearts than the rats whose bodies were restricted and could not use the endorphins and opioids normally.

"This is the first evidence linking the natural opioids produced during exercise to the cardio-protective effects of exercise. We have known for a long time that exercise is great for the heart. This study helps us better understand why," said Eric Dickson, M.D., UI associate professor and head of emergency medicine in the Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine and the study's lead investigator.

Producing endorphins and opioids are just a few of the many positive benefits of getting regular exercise. Others include reducing the risk of having a stroke, depression, artherosclerosis, and osteoporosis. Regular exercise can also help with weight management, reduce the chance of having a heart attack, and increase the chance of survival if we do have a heart attack.

The researchers took time to remind people of the importance of getting vigorous exercise every day.

Source:
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2007-11/uoi-hm110807.php