If taking 10,000 steps a day sounds overwhelming, here's a number that might get you moving: 2,300. That's right, as few as 2,300 steps a day will start to improve your heart health according to a new study. And researchers say if you get motivated to hit 4,000, your risk of dying from any disease starts to decrease. However, they stress the more steps you take, the bigger the benefit.
The researchers analyzed 17 prior investigations involving 227,000 people who were followed for about 7 years. Adults over 60 who clocked 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day lowered their risk of death by 42%. Younger walkers who logged between 7,000 and 13,000 steps a day experienced a 49% reduction.
And going above and beyond appears to offer even more protection. One study author says, "10,000 steps a day is, in fact, still a correct way of thinking if we take into account the most pronounced [death] reduction".